An Astonishing Example of Earnest Preparation at Work

We all know the importance of effective preparation. At work, you especially want to be well-prepared when presenting your ideas or suggestions either to your boss or your customer. But how many of us really prepare as thoroughly as we should?

If you've ever been tempted to slack off on preparation - as I have from time to time - here's an astonishing example of thorough preparation in American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964 by William Manchester. MacArthur was one of America's top generals in World War II, leading allied forces in the Pacific theater. If you're not familiar with him, we'll defer to this description by English soldier and military historian, B.H. Liddell Hart:

"MacArthur was supreme among the generals. His combination of strong personality, strategic grasp, tactical skill, operative mobility, and vision put him in a class above other allied commanders in any theatre."

Some with such skills and stature, might be tempted to leave the details to others. But just look at the level of study and preparation General MacArthur brought to bear when he was named Supreme Commander of the Southwest Pacific theater of operations. Remember as you read this, that he was facing a Japanese army and navy that had just conquered most of Asia with shocking efficiency and ease. They were on the brink of invading Australia. Many believed that if MacArthur did not stop the tide, the Japanese would soon be on the beaches of California.

"...the General probably knew more about the geography of New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Soloman Islands than any other man before or since. He had familiarized himself with the area's coral reefs, its tidal table, its coves and inlets, its mountain passes, and its rainy seasons; he could pinpoint existing airstrips and land shelves where new strips could be hacked out of the kunai grass; he could identify targets within range of P-38s (which could fly 2,260 miles on a tank of gas), P-40s (2,800 miles), and B-17s (1,850 miles carrying a 3,000-pound bomb load). In addition, MacArthur understood the enemy: the strength and disposition of his forces, his supply lines, his capacity for reinforcement, the disposition of his forces, his supply lines, his capacity for reinforcement, the quality of his equipment (high), his morale (higher), and his courage (highest of all)..."

The description goes on, but I think you get the point. MacArthur's work was war, perhaps the most complex human endeavor. Despite his exalted status, he put in the hours of study required to know everything that could possibly impact his effort to lead his troops to victory.

While I suspect none of us has a job that compares with the complexity of MacArthur's, we do share his responsibility to do our job to the best of our ability. If you remember the prayer, "A Morning Resolve," which we posted in the past, we Catholic men commit ourselves to "diligence in appointed service." Preparation is part of being diligent in our appointed service, whatever that might be. If you ever wonder exactly of what earnest preparation consists, re-read this passage from American Caesar.