Field grade officers

I had a enlightening interaction with a field grade officer while I was in Alaska last week. Here's a quiz to see if you can think like one.

You're a field grade officer who has lent out the keys to your car to a lower ranking person who is staying in the same hotel as you. How do you get your keys back?

1. Ask the front desk to call their room, and have them meet you someplace.
2. Call the person directly (you have their number), and meet them at their room.
3. Tell one of your subordinates to call the one with the keys, and have your subordinate instruct the person to bring the keys down to the lobby, where you are.

If you picked the most complicated answer because anything else would be beneath you, congratulations. You can think like a field grade officer.

If it's an ounce of work for you or a pound of work for others, always go with the latter.