Historians tell of the decline of Greece and Rome. Business journals recount the growth and decay of commercial enterprises. It is not a question of excellence. A society that has reached the heights of excellence may already be caught in the rigidities that will ultimately bring it down. An institution may hold itself to the highest standards and yet already be doomed by the complacency that foreshadows decay.
Motivation tends to run down.
The challenge is not reserved for those at the top of our organization. This is not just the Commandant's problem. It is every leader's problem. Business has become far too complex to simply leave it up to a few people. Leaders, at every level, must become and remain vital and relevant to the organization.