[September 07, 2014] In April 1918 near Paris, the German Army commander failed to recognize the important contributions a small number of U.S. Marines entering the fight would have on the outcome. The Marines were inexperienced and had not proven themselves a significant battlefield force since their arrival a few months prior to the fight at Belleau Woods.… Read More »
[August 27, 2014] During the Korean War in 1951 U.S. President Harry Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of his command for making public statements that contradicted the administration’s policies. MacArthur did not have a full appreciation of what he could and could not control and who were his allies … he underestimated the President. Despite having great military… Read More »
[August 06, 2014] “Giving back.” My grandmother told me many times that the trait that separated the most honorable people from the “average Joe” was the giving to those in need. Her philosophy was a religious one and something she believed in deeply. Senior leaders do more than give a few dollars to charitable organizations. The best of… Read More »
[August 03, 2014] The ancient Greeks considered “virtue” to be a positive trait that represented a morally good person. The trait was valued as the foundation of a moral being. As far as traits went, virtue was whatever was most valued. Senior leaders must possess virtue; else they will not be a great leader. There is some disagreement… Read More »
[July 14, 2014] One of the most profound and tragic lessons learned from World War I was that senior leaders being there in person, at the point of action, was critical for success of the operation. Whether the situation involves a large military action, a major business transition, or a national disaster, the senior leader must be physically… Read More »
[July 10, 2014] The most successful senior executive leaders are professionally unemotional, yet caring and respectful. Now, that may seem like an oxymoron, and some people will even disagree with me, but leaders must have a degree of detachment else they will be consumed by the daily affairs of those they lead. Likewise, they must show that they… Read More »
[June 27, 2014] A well-known characteristic of great senior leaders is a thick-skinned personality. This is only possible when the leader is one that possesses extensive, broadly-based, and relevant experiences. Yet, this does not necessarily mean the leader is arrogant or uncaring. In the best of leaders, being thick-skinned means also being humble and optimistic. Being thick skinned… Read More »
[June 21 07, 2014] There is much to be said about community leadership at the local level. Today there is news that Coney Island (yes, that Coney Island) has a new loop-the-loop roller coaster. Now why is that so important? Coney Island has been in decline since the 1970s. It was once an iconic playground for the rich and… Read More »
[June 16, 2014] When most of us think of those who are employing wisdom, we typically think of “old people”. Presumably this is because wisdom is the ability to make good judgments based on knowledge, experience, reasoning, and insight. Successful senior leaders are able to employ wisdom because they have the relevant experiences to discern good from bad.… Read More »
[June 08, 2014] In the 1980s, my friends and I had long conversations about Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein and his role in the Iran-Iraq War. The debate about whether he was an evil dictator or a grandfatherly figure protecting his country raged off and on; even after he used chemical weapons to attack Kurdish civilians in 1988. Yet,… Read More »