Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
[April 23, 2018] There are very few folks who would think otherwise to the sage advice that it’s important to have a good attitude. A problem arises, however, whenever we try to define “good attitude” and why it is so important for leaders to have it. “Commitment, belief and positive attitude are all important if you’re going to… Read More »
[April 22, 2018] Trending over the past few years has been a number of discussion threads on what is being called generous leadership. What is it and is not has been kicked around like any new idea and I am here today to provide a short list of those elements. Recently, Dave Kraft, in his Leadership from the… Read More »
[April 21, 2017] Growing up in the Deep South of the United States never stunted my intellectual growth because I was surrounded by military veterans who told of their experiences. Once such story was relayed to me by my father, who spoke with retired U.S. Army General “Black Jack” Pershing. Pershing told my father of the story of… Read More »
[April 20, 2018] The army Captain barked that he was looking for a commitment from all the 2nd Lieutenants going through the basic course at Fort Benning, Georgia. We all asked ourselves why he was even saying this; of course, we were “committed.” But what we later discovered was that his interest was more … it was for… Read More »
[April 19, 2018] Last week, a Boy Scout in the Troop in which I volunteer, asked me how he could get younger scouts to attend more meetings. After discussing the issue with him for a few minutes, I brought up the subject of what military leaders do and don’t do to motivate soldiers. “Dream more than others think… Read More »
[April 18, 2018] At 5:13 am on this date, April 18, 1906, the city of San Francisco, California experienced a massive earthquake that was felt along nearly all of the West Coast. Massive fires then broke out threatening to kill thousands. The only way city leaders could control the problem was to think big, act quickly, and not… Read More »
[April 17, 2018] I frequently tell the story of how West Point military cadets behave when they are allowed to buy small treats from one of the many vending machines. On top of the machines are coins that accumulated in the change slot and no one has claimed. No cadet dare take a coin for themselves, as this… Read More »
[April 16, 2018] My High School friend’s dad was a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas. On several occasions when my friend and I were annoyed by all the jet noise, his dad would say; Boys, that is the sound of freedom. Americans have always been seen as an odd… Read More »
[April 15, 2018] Early in my military career I learned about being brief and to the point. “Don’t waste people’s time,” was said about as often as we cleaned our rifles. I’m always looking for leadership methods I can put into my personal toolbox and the standup meeting is one of them. Also called morning roll-call or daily… Read More »
[April 14, 2018] It has been said that it is a person’s own mind, not the enemy or foe, which lures a person to evil ways. Evil (what it is and is not) is humankind’s greatest mystery which remains unresolved yet continues to be tenacious in its damage to countless civilizations. I often chuckle to myself when I… Read More »