[October 7, 2025] Ever since the first battle among humans, the best lesson of winning was to have the leader present, front and center. As a kid, I learned while touring Civil War battlefields that great leadership happens by that leader being there. At the most famous battles, the most senior Army Generals were on the battlefield, leading their soldiers personally toward the enemy.
The best leaders lead from the front. This military axiom is one of the strongest, seen across all cultures and time; there can be no substitute for it. The reason is simple: leadership is about people, and we all have an inherent need to bolster our own actions by having others close to us, especially leaders. For leaders, being there is a crucial principle. And a leader who is not present cannot be anything but a poor leader.
For example, the contrast between Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden is staggering. Joe Biden was properly accused of “hiding in his basement.” If any complaint about Donald Trump, it’s that he is out and about, going everywhere to be seen and heard. We never really knew what Biden was thinking. We all know where Trump stands.
We just saw President Trump with U.S. Navy sailors as we celebrate the Navy’s upcoming 250th birthday. He can be seen doing the Donald Dance to the YMCA song as he visits them in Norfolk, VA. His presence highlights the opposing differences in these two presidents’ leadership styles. And the results are staggering. Biden was a failure and will go down as the worst U.S. president in American history. Trump will certainly be in the top five of all time.
We all know this to be true. We know it because great leadership is a highly valued human trait. We make heroes out of great leaders, tell their stories, have their pictures, and are willing to pay good money just for a signature. Those leaders who show their bravery can be seen and admired only if others are present to witness them. This is the power of great leaders being there.
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We love Trump, if for no other reason than he does what he says he will do. Leftists across the world are upset at a politican who doesn’t lie to them on a daily basis. They prefer the lies because they make them FEEL GOOD. Pray for their souls.
EXCELLENT
Another, spot-on article. Please pay close attention here. Gen. Satterfield is giving us some hints at what great leadership is about. Remember his definition of great leadership. “Leadership is getting people to do things they would not ordinarily do.” Great leadership is “Getting people to do things they would not ordinarily do, because they want to do it.” That latter part of the definition should hit home for all of us. We hope that our workforce is internally motivated and skilled. These are the best employees.
Gen. Satterfield has written before that it is also helpful to read the autobiographies of great leaders to attempt to figure out what their thinking was when an event was occurring. It matters little that the autobio is not 100% accurate because that leader will, at least, write what he should have been thinking to get it right.
Nicely put, Gen. S. Thanks. You are making it easy to read your column daily.
Gen. Satterfield is, of course, correct about the idea of great leadership being based on the principle that the leader must be present to have the most effective impact on a battle/war. That goes for other dynamics too. The CEO of a company or the President of a University has the biggest advantage when physically present to speak, communicate values, and show what is and is not acceptable behavior both on and off duty/work. That is what is so good about great leaders. They suffer no fools, either. If you want to be a great leader, then listed to what Gen. Satterfield has to say. Learn it. But, more importantly, implement it.
Yes, we do need good, no, great leaders. 🕷🕷🕷🕷
🇺🇸 America grows great leaders. 🇺🇸
—- USA —-
We are a huge power in the world and we are there because we reward great leaders with high status. Their pay is not super high but great leaders don’t work hard on the principle of money rewards. They work hard on the idea that they have made their mark on the world and the world is in a better place because of them. Selfless service is the idea here. Thanks! Gen. Satterfield you’ve made my day.
Gen. Satterfield nailed it here: “Those leaders who show their bravery can be seen and admired only if others are present to witness them. This is the power of great leaders being there.” That is exactly what I’ve thought for a long time and when I was in the Army, that’s why I was always there, leading my men from the front.
Does anyone still not hate Joey Biden? 🤮
Spot on. One nitpick, Biden will go down as the worst president in American history not just because he was absent from his duties, but mainly because he was corrupt, his family was corrupt, and HE IS EVIL. Biden was horrible and those who believe otherwise are stupid and need a reality check.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Susie Q. you’re great. Love the comment about evil Biden. And, yes there are millions of sucker Americans who actually like love Biden. You could get a presidential pardon for only $100k.
… and they still can define what a woman is…..
Joe Biden was evil and still is evil. Please keep him out of politics. The damage he has done is overwhelming. But, people still love him as they love the Devil.