Respecting Institutional Optics & Perceptions
Two recent incidents exemplify that any ‘lowering of the guard’ from the defined standards, can impact institutional optics and perceptions, and therefore must be atoned for and redeemed.
The second-in-command of the Canadian Forces, Lt Gen Mike Rouleau, offered to step down after his ‘private activity’ of a golf round with a serving Commander of Navy and a veteran general, who was undergoing military investigations for misconduct, sparked media concerns about his poor judgement and the questionable optics surrounding the event.
Lt Gen Rouleau ‘fully’ accepted how his ‘decision to do so has intensified recent events and contributed to further erosion of trust’. More importantly, Lt Gen Rouleau demonstrated the necessary ownership and grace in clarifying that the Naval Commander’s presence was, ‘surely predicated on my attending, therefore, I would ask, that only I am held accountable’.
Ostensibly his intent and…