This happened years ago, just thought about it and thought it would be a good post. For OPSEC some details have been changed, but the general story is accurate. The overall point of "follow the leader" applies to many situations, and is probably especially important in the current hurricane season.

As you know, you are the captain, and you are responsible for the well-being of your family (as well as others who are "under your watch" at the time). It is important that your wife and family trusts your judgement implicitly. In times of quick-action, you don't need your wife questioning every decision you make, this is counterproductive, potentially dangerous, and in-general a sign that you haven't yet arrived.

Story

Some time ago I was with my family as well as some extended family (including our older parents, one in a wheelchair) on a vacation. We had been waiting in the hot sun near the front of a very long line to gain entry to something (think Disney). It was first come-first served, and we (I) had planned things well to get us near the front of the line so we could have good seating under cover (considering that we had older folks and babies with us and there was limited covered seating).

While waiting there was some very large scaffolding and equipment being moved on a vehicle near the crowd. I noticed that the cables securing these items looked too small for the loading, especially the way it was swaying and shock forces. Everybody else in the crowd was completely oblivious, including employees handling this stuff. I immediately saw the danger, announced to the family (10+ people) "This is dangerous, we are leaving NOW", grabbed the wheelchair, the wife grabbed the kids, and without a word we quickly left the front of the line. We stopped when we were safely clear, turned around and watched. Do you know what my wife said, NOTHING, not a goddamn thing. No "now we lost our place in line; it's going to be hot; it looks fine to me; etc." Ask yourself, what would your wife had said?

About a minute later, the cable snapped and all kinds of huge scaffolding and shit fell within feet of the crowd. Luckily nobody was hurt, but it was damn close to killing people. Do you know what my wife said then? "Those people were lucky!" Not "Wow, you saved us!" or "Wow, you were right!". Those people were lucky because they DIDN'T HAVE A LEADER and it could have cost them their life. She was not surprised that I had protected our family, she already knew that is something I do.

BTW, this is not the first time something like this has happened. We once left a fireworks show early, and again, I was proven right. Other times nothing ever happened, but I still am glad I made the error on the side of safety. The point isn't about "being right". Even though in these cases something did happen, it could have just as easily gone the other way. If nothing happened there wouldn't have been any complaining or second guessing. If your wife second guesses your decisions that is a shit test, you need to handle this with confidence that you made the best choices with the information available to you.

Cheers!