[September 25, 2020] Over the past several years, I’ve mentored many young leaders in the Boys Scouts, Police Departments, on college campuses, and in the business world. I always emphasize to them the importance of being likable. Here is a fact of life; if people like you, they will give you opportunities others will not get. That’s right. … Read More »
[September 24, 2020] I’m of the old school that says experience is the best teacher. And, while that is debatable in some philosophical corners, it nonetheless rings true. Sadly, experience is not transferable; we all must take a given path to see what it may bring. The very best leaders have something in common and that is they… Read More »
[September 22, 2020] It is difficult to put ourselves into the position of someone who lived during the U.S. Civil War. American citizens today, nor any time since, have experienced nothing like the level of destruction and loss of life during such a war. And, like all wars, nothing was straightforward about it. The Emancipation Proclamation by President… Read More »
[September 21, 2020] I admit it, I love dogs. My life began with my trusty Cocker Spaniel “Rusty,” and we were inseparable. Dogs have a special connection with humans, a meta-story that tells of great companionships. But today, I’m talking about another story. This is about how leaders are chosen. I’m calling it the pick of the litter… Read More »
[September 20, 2020] Warfare has always been present in our human species. And despite the terribleness of the battlefield, humans have, in fact, learned some terrible lessons. And thus, there has been broad agreement on laws of warfare established to prevent atrocities and unnecessary death. Unfortunately, there still are times when these agreed-upon laws of warfare are violated. … Read More »
[September 19, 2020] With the U.S. Presidential election less than two months away, the rhetoric between the candidates and political organizations are reaching a crescendo. Hopefully, by discussing candidate Joe Biden, we can move a little away from the hyperbole. Leaders are judged not so much by what they have done than by what they can do. This… Read More »
[September 17, 2020] Those who study statesmanship and the experienced leadership know how difficult it is to make progress on old and emotionally-laden political issues. Two days ago, the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel signed a peace deal with one another. Casual observers will not understand the significance of or difficulty in this achievement, and that is unfortunate. Those… Read More »
[September 16, 2020] Police in America are under siege. That should come as no surprise, and, unfortunately, many of our political leaders are encouraging violence against police officers across the nation. But there is at least one local Police Chief who is unwilling to “bend a knee” as other officers have done. Heber City Police Chief Dave Booth… Read More »
[September 15, 2020] If we were to look at one example of violence incited by leaders, the most notorious in the past century is Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, carried out on 9-10 November 1938 by the paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party.1 The pretext for the attacks was the assassination of a German diplomat in… Read More »
[September 14, 2020] My first tour of duty in the U.S. Army was in West Germany; the year was 1974 and before the wall came down. While in-processing on a military base in the city of Bad Wimpfen, I was given a 12-hour pass that I used to tour the old city. There I met an old man… Read More »