On Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, there was an assassination attempt on the life of President Donald Trump. Fortunately, the assassin failed, Trump lived, and the assassin was neutralized.
Almost immediately, the head of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle came under criticism and scrutiny for not providing an adequate level of protection to President Trump. As the leader of a federal agency tasked with providing presidential protection, she absolutely should be under examination and investigation.
I watched a portion of the House hearing where Cheatle was questioned about the actions of the U.S. Secret Service on the day that President Trump escaped assassination. Cheatle did nothing but offer flimsy excuses and dodge the questions.
Cheatle was hit by a career tsunami and resigned her position on July 23, 2024. Like many Americans, questions remain in my mind regarding her qualifications for the position.
A career tsunami begins forming when someone is elevated to a position they are not prepared for and/or a position that does not work well with their talents, gifts, and strengths. Americans still fall victim to the idea that success means you continue to climb the ladder. There is nothing wrong with moving up the career ladder if the individual is ready for the climb, and their skill set, capabilities, and character are in alignment with the new position.
That means for some people their career is at the middle of the ladder while for others it is all the way to the top. However, when someone is not ready for the move, they are not capable of filling the position, or they are a political appointee, they may fall off the tip of the ladder. That is what happened to Cheatle when she fell off her sloped roof career path and was slammed by a career tsunami.
Here is how you can apply this lesson to your life: when your sights are set on the next position, make sure that you can fill the role in a professional and competent manner. Unless, of course, you are a political appointee with questionable qualifications.
