Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
![D-Day June 6, 2026 [the Landings]](https://i0.wp.com/www.theleadermaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/D-Day-200x140-1.jpg?resize=200%2C140&ssl=1)
[June 6, 2020] The anniversary of D-Day, the most famous battle of the twentieth century occurred this date, 6 June 1944. Sixty years later, 6 June 2004, my unit was stationed in Baghdad, Iraq – it was still early in our war. Our day began hot and dry with clear skies, a forecast that would not change until… Read More »
[June 5, 2020] I’ve been in the military long enough to have a good understanding of the concept the enemy gets a vote. It doesn’t take experience, the study of battles, or deep thinking to gain a better understanding of it. ‘The enemy gets a vote’ phrase intimates that our competitors are human beings with emotions, thoughts, needs,… Read More »
[June 4, 2020] Our time as leaders is limited. We only get to spend so much time in any given position, and we are restricted to how much time we have to accomplish a mission and care for others. This is why an old sergeant, Vietnam vet, and mentor, I knew advised me to use my time properly… Read More »
[June 2, 2020] After a peaceful day of protests in Atlantic City, New Jersey, mostly black rioters, started destroying storefronts throughout the city. Atlantic City is small compared to Minneapolis, New York City, or Seattle. But it’s mayor, Marty Small, Sr., is a big man, a man with ideas on how to make the lives of his citizens… Read More »
[June 1, 2020] As part of my continuing desire to streamline my leadership blog’s website, all social media links are removed.1 On a related topic, several regular readers of my site have written to complain that social media like Facebook and Twitter are blocking content the big companies don’t like. LinkedIn also dabbles in censorship, and I’ve been… Read More »
[May 30, 2020] The year before my good friends Bill, Greg, and I were headed to the same college for degrees in engineering, we each bought a car. In Texas, a car is a “must have” if you plan to get anywhere. We all envied Greg. He bought a 1968 red Chevrolet Camaro. The car was in immaculate… Read More »
[May 29, 2020] If we look at professional literature on leadership, there is a solid consensus that two factors allow us to foretell leader success. Intelligence (as measured in IQ) and conscientiousness are hands down, the strongest predictors of success. These two also measure success in higher education, military careers, and mid-level managerial positions. Based on my observations,… Read More »
[May 28, 2020] U.S. Army General Omar Bradley once said that “leadership is intangible, and therefore no weapon ever designed can replace it.” Bradley understood that truth shines a light on everything a leader does or does not do. He was adamant that truth was the fundamental element of leadership and that there is no such thing as… Read More »
[May 27, 2020] Leaders are essential to other people. And since they are also vital to any team or group, leaders have a moral and leadership obligation to take care of themselves. We don’t have to like our leaders or agree with them, but followers have an equal duty to remind leaders to care for themselves. Leaders should… Read More »
[May 26, 2020] Wilson, my best friend since before I could remember, was out to make a few cents to buy candy. He and I would hook up on Saturday mornings and canvas the small town we grew up in for discarded coke bottles. After collecting as many as we could carry, we would turn them in for… Read More »