Purpose over Optics

What Secretary Hegseth’s Lecture Reminds Us About Leadership Standards

When Secretary Hegseth addressed military generals this past week, his words carried a weight that stretched far beyond the physical fitness debate. At the heart of his lecture was a question every leader, military or civilian, should ask: Are our standards aligned with our mission, or are they shaped by appearances and convenience?

The military, like any large organization, wrestles with how to evaluate its people fairly and effectively. Nowhere is that tension more visible than in discussions about fitness, diversity, and performance. But Hegseth’s lecture provided a powerful reminder that leadership is about clarity of purpose; knowing what matters, why it matters, and refusing to let trends or optics distort those fundamentals.

See below for my major points/reactions to his briefing.