When Panetta led the CIA, he
successfully tracked down Osama Bin Laden and ultimately located the man who
was responsible for 9/11. On May 2nd, 2011, the raid by Navy SEALs
in Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan ended the life of the most
wanted man after ten years in the run.
On page 331 of this book,
Panetta wrote, “The end of Bin Laden firmly proclaimed that no matter how long
it takes or how much risk is involved, this country will not let others do
violence to us without repercussions.”
Panetta and his family are
Italian immigrants from Siderno in Calabria, Italy. He was raised in the
Monterey area and attended Monterey High School, where he became involved in
student politics and was a member of the Junior Statesmen of America. Because
of his brilliant thought and leadership, he became its president. He entered
Santa Clara University in 1956 and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of
Arts in political science.
Panetta spent almost fifty years in the public service and that is indeed his devotion to people and country. He learned a lot about this from Republican senator Thomas Kuchel in his early career as Kuchel assistant in 1966. The principle crafts his mindset and grows him during his time in government. For him, the leadership is not only far-sighted, goal oriented, and sustained, but also brave, effective and empathy.
Empathy should be shown by
leaders even to the lowest rank of the staff. “Every week that I was Secretary
of Defense, I would spend a few quiet hours away from the phones and
interruptions to read, consider, and sign letters to the families of those who had
died for the country,” Panetta remembers when he always read stories prepared
by his assistants for him to put his signature on stack of folders full with
letter of condolence. “I cannot imagine the pain of the loss of a loved one,”
he said.
Panetta is a leader of empathy.
His pen was representing a million words he wanted to say that their fights
were worthy.
***
Serpong, 25 May
2024
Titus J.
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