[December 15, 2019] An old Vietnam War veteran was one of my mentors when I was an Infantry Company Commander. He was also a great coach. His favorite topic was teaching his officers how leaders listen. I was fortunate to have him as a member of my unit. “Listen to many, speak to a few.” – William Shakespeare,… Read More »
[December 14, 2019] The Japanese surrendered unconditionally on September 2, 1945, onboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Part of the plan for Japan after World War II was to end its military adventurism. To do so would not be an easy task. U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, as the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers in the Pacific,… Read More »
[December 13, 2019] The purpose of a coach is to provide a vision, to cheer lead, to guide, to push, and to teach us what is essential. A coach’s job is to motivate people beyond the ordinary and to make them better. For a leader, it is of the utmost importance that we also coach others to be… Read More »
[December 12, 2019] A few years ago, I wrote a couple of articles on some of the “good” and “bad” things I learned while in the military.1,2 Likewise, there are important things that helped me be successful during my U.S. Army career that I didn’t learn in the military. My grandmother would be proud since she helped a… Read More »
[December 9, 2019] I’ve had the personal good fortune to speak with military veterans who were in the most desperate, destructive battles of the 20th Century.1 I learned a few things from them that I will pass along today. The most important lesson they gave me was – do those things you fear. Such advice seems counterproductive. Why… Read More »
[December 8, 2019] One dominant theme in the study of leadership is to prove oneself worthy of holding the mantle of responsibility. A successful leader is one who has built a reputation for accountability, trustworthiness, and sound judgment.1 How one does this is subject to debate. But when a leader is tested in the crucible of fire, there… Read More »
[December 6, 2019] Leaders have ambition. All types of leaders possess this trait; good, bad, or indifferent. I like to think about ambition like gasoline; it acts as an accelerant. Gasoline is used in vehicles to make them go, and we benefit, but gasoline can also cause highly destructive fires. If you are a leader, be prepared to… Read More »
[December 5, 2019] In Part 1 of this two-part series, I asked the question, “What is a hero?” and gave what I thought was a meaningful answer. In today’s article, I’ll address a more fundamental question that is germane to our understanding of human nature and of the character of leaders. “Why do we have heroes?” Growing up… Read More »
[December 4, 2019] As young boys in the 1950s, we listened intently to returning Korean War veterans to get some idea of what war was like. We asked stupid questions of these veterans. Who were the best fighters? Did you kill any Communists? Were you a hero? There was something that drove us to understand what it took… Read More »
[November 27, 2019] Leaders fill many roles. We often hear, for example, that an employer gets the employees he deserves. That bit of sage counsel is no small point. It is the duty of leaders to be a watchdog for their organization (or group); for it is those who guard the way they make for the best leaders.… Read More »