The conclusion we came to that one was likely to lose much more

The conclusion we came to that one was likely to lose much more respect if one simply hid from criticism.

The route we chose did at least enable me to get advice before decisions were

finalised. There is a much greater danger of losig respect if one cannot accept critical

but helpful advice, especially if that is then compounded by decisions that are incorrect.

The importance of these points is sadly illustrated by the problems that the advisers to

the late President Lyndon Johnson had in explaining to him that the war in Vietnam was

not progressing as favdurably as he imagined. President Johnson was not renowned for

his senstive handling of people, particularly those who voiced

criticism. Consequently he was more psychologically available to those who reported

favourably on the progress of the war, and who suggested that a military solution was

possible. than to those who. suggested the reverse. It was apparently not until the

spectacular Tet offensive by the Viet Cong in 1968 that President Johnson realised that

all was not as well as he had imagined.