leakest wink

What a "chain of command" is only as strong as. In other words, if a bunch of insincere people are "shedding crocodile tears" --- i.e., if they are pretending to be all weepy-eyed but are actually "winking behind their watering" because they're merely trying to manipulate those in authority --- the resolve of said commanding personnel is only as strong as whoever is shedding the most tears of the "leaky-waterworks" group, and thus is presenting the most-convincingly unhappy status that would also have the most persuasive effect on whoever is in charge of the situation.

A jury would do well to only listen to and consider what is actually being said by those giving testimony, not the eye-streamingly distressed manner in which said testimony is presented --- remember, the resolve of humanity is only as strong as its leakest wink!