It was one of the craziest things I ever have done. Or been talked into doing. In college, my sorority, normally a cozy haven of afternoons (after class) filled with hot tea, girl talk, and blankets in front of a soap opera, was disrupted by the intrusion of real life. Girls noticed that their money was missing. Several of us, over several weeks. We had a thief in house. That's right, a bonafide, wallet-lifting sister who was helping herself to our beer money.

We called the town police. Of course the first thing they asked was, did we know who dunnit? We did not. So, they proposed an undercover assignment. They would dust some $20 bills (so that fingerprints would show up if someone took them) and leave them on the dresser tops. Of course, they explained, the POLICE couldn't actually patrol the halls of an all-girl dorm without being noticed. They needed SOMEONE to hide in the closets and lookout for the culprit.

As vice president, I felt responsible. Okay, there was a little part of me thinking, "Really? Is this a good idea?" But I volunteered. It wasn't until during dinner, when I snuck inside one of the upstairs bedroom closets, alone, closed the door and peered out between the slats, that my heart started pounding out of my chest. What would I do if "she" appeared? What if I sneezed or coughed? Should I confront her? Why, on earth was I doing this?

At age 19, I guess I figured if the police thought it was a good idea, that it was, in fact, okay.

Thankfully I was unsuccessful. We never caught her. It took me a long time to reflect back on why I did it. What would prompt me to ignore that rational voice inside me? I guess it's because they were the authorities. They must know better than I.

The leadership lesson? Sometimes, good people are working so hard to please their bosses, that they don't speak up about the obvious. They agree to do things, because you say so.

Let me clarify. I'm not suggesting that you invite debate after a decision is made. The idea is that you encourage debate before you decide. If people aren't asking you any questions, you have to wonder, is it them, or me?