My task in the Personnel Branch at the Army HQ was to prepare proposals to post senior officers in certain sensitive appointments as Heads of Establishments dealing with procurement and distribution of military equipment , construction of military accommodation in garrisons and provision of ration and fuel to troops in garrisons . This was a very complex and multi dimensional task which involved checking of past track record , antecedents and also prevent any malpractices to creep in in the system . I used to make exhaustive notes for my boss to go through before approving such proposals .
My boss was a straight shooter and he called me one day to his office . He told me I am doing a good job but we are wasting our time in analyzing such cases to great details to prevent a bad head assuming such appointments . He said if the Garrison Commander is not corrupt , no corruption can exist in that station . But if the commander is corrupt , then it is difficult for his subordinates to stay clean . So let us attack the problem at the top level , he said.
A very useful tip which I really practiced thereafter to good advantage .