Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
[June 6, 2018] There are very few men alive today who participated in the largest amphibious invasion in human history. D-Day, June 6, 1944, was the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany; a day that will live in the chronicles of truly great human endeavors. Operation Overlord, what we informally call D-Day, surprised everyone on its success… Read More »
[June 5, 2018] If there is one thing that I learned from my first U.S. Army commander, it was that it is a bad idea to make feel-good rules for your soldiers. Feel-good rules are formalized but unnecessary rules of behavior. Feel-good rules are usually put in place by well-meaning leaders and managers who want to play it… Read More »
[June 4, 2018] Practical knowledge is incredibly important to any leader and life in general. Not only is it useful in its immediate application to a laundry list of everyday problems but it can be achieved only through personal experience in failure. You read that right … only through failure. “Besides the practical knowledge which defeat offers, there… Read More »
[June 3, 2018] A friend of mine from New York City conveyed a story to me that framed a problem leaders often encounter when they rally people to a cause. He was at a political townhall to discuss public issues of concern to the residents. People jumped right in to complain to their elected officials but failed to… Read More »
[June 2, 2018] Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) is a British activist and journalist who exposes the downside of Islamic immigration in Europe. He recently came to prominence worldwide when he was arrested and jailed for reporting on a rape trial of Muslims in Leeds, England. Apparently, in England, the courts can ban the public from knowing… Read More »
[June 1, 2018] Occasionally leaders are inspired by what they read or hear. One story stands out that demonstrates leadership under duress and courage at its finest. Told to a local High School class by a Coast Guard Rear Admiral, the story of the greatest small boat rescue in the history of the United States was what encouraged… Read More »
[May 31, 2018] I am very bad remembering the names of people I meet for the first time and it’s always been that way. But if there is one piece of sound advice I can give, it’s that of the people you do meet, you should never forget their names. Why? The reason is simple and it goes… Read More »
[May 30, 2018] In a fast-paced society everyone is looking to save time and money. We are all interested when someone comes up with a “hack” or shortcut to save us that little extra effort. But, leaders have learned over the history of humankind, that there are no shortcuts to leadership. Someone once likened leadership to herding cats.1 … Read More »
[May 29, 2018] Last year I changed the direction of my blog to focus more on all around leadership rather just singling out senior leaders. What I did not do was fail to seek wisdom in how leaders become who they are, how they are educated in the fine art of leading others; nor did I give up… Read More »
[May 28, 2018] In America’s cities and towns today, flags will be placed on graves in cemeteries and public officials will speak of the sacrifice and the valor of those whose memory we honor. Like many of my fellow countrymen on this Memorial Day, I will be standing in a cemetery where veterans are buried to honor them… Read More »