The Example the U.S. Secretary of "War" Sets

The defense secretary sends the wrong signals about U.S. leadership and justice.

Excerpt: "This is how leadership always works in practice, even in organizations less hierarchical than the military. Some subordinates go along with orders or expectations because they’ve been taught not to challenge authority. Others do so to bask in the leader’s approval and proximity or to advance their careers, which expressions of dissent could torpedo.

This is why leaders should be careful about the signals they send—and why leaders should share responsibility for the misdeeds of their subordinates, unless they have sent clear signals, in word and deed, that such acts won’t be tolerated."