Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
[August 8, 2016] One thing that I learned early on in the U.S. Army was to pay close attention to army sergeants. This applies, certainly, to all military services. The U.S. Army’s Command Sergeant Major (CSM) is the most senior enlisted rank as noncommissioned officers and one of the most respected. Senior Flag Officers are advised by senior… Read More »
[August 7, 2016] Just the other day Clint Eastwood of Hollywood fame was interviewed by Esquire magazine.1 The interview got a lot of attention because of his support for U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump … but for those who look behind the hype Eastwood comes off as a real man; I would say a real leader. Not that… Read More »
[August 6, 2016] There was a time when U.S. military personnel refused to participate in anything that was political or even register to vote in elections because it would be seen as inappropriate interference. Basic rules that govern military behavior today provide some restrictions on what currently serving military members can and cannot do politically when in uniform. … Read More »
[August 5, 2016] That’s what my mother always told me and I still believe today that anyone can make a difference, as long as they try. I’m sure mothers across the world tell their children the same thing and it’s a good thing to have it repeated. Leaders also need to be part of this and therefore it’s… Read More »
[August 4, 2016] Someone once said, as best as I can remember, that being overly facetious is the deed of amateurs and a flaw of leaders.1 A few years ago my commander, a senior U.S. Army General, told us that our unit had won the military’s highest award for maintenance of heavy equipment. His comments set into motion… Read More »
[August 3, 2016] Good leaders are especially hard to come by; those with the wisdom, courage, and stamina to forge ahead doing what is right. They didn’t get to be good leaders because of an innate ability or luck but through a long arduous process. What they will tell us, if we ask, is that one reason they… Read More »
[August 2, 2016] Terrorism, specifically Islamic terrorism, has been one of the biggest stories of 2016. The evil brew of ideology, religion, and fanaticism has swirled for some time now with targeted attacks on the innocent. Senior political leadership in most of Western nations has, for the most part, been blind to its effects and has been one… Read More »
[August 1, 2016] One of the best pieces of education I received after being promoted to senior rank to Flag officer was that “Some people will love you for who you are and some people will hate you for who you are.” Human nature for what it is means that leaders will attract many people simply for being a… Read More »
[July 31, 2016] Like most European countries, Germany has its own unique culture; easily distinguishable from any other. It’s clean, orderly, and the people are accepting and easy to get along with as long as you show your interest in and respect for their culture. It is not surprising that citizens of Germany have sent Chancellor Merkel a… Read More »
[July 30, 2016] There’s an old saying used in business and government that makes an astute observation about success. It goes something like this, “It’s not what you know, but who you know” and it’s used primarily to explain achievement in the workplace and in one’s personal life. But, does who you know make you a leader? A… Read More »