[January 4, 2016] Yesterday my wife asked me why I’d not made any New Year’s resolutions like I always do. Note that she usually gets a good laugh out of some of them like the year I resolved to spend less than $1,000 on Starbucks coffee. This year I’ll be a little different and offer a list of… Read More »
[January 3, 2016] As luck would have it, I was reviewing some reading material and notes taken from my Infantry Officer Basic Course the other evening. In it I stumbled upon my study of the Mi Lai Massacre in Vietnam. I remember clearly how the course instructor had told us the shame it had brought upon the U.S.… Read More »
[January 2, 2016] Now is the time of year for new resolutions that we create to hopefully make us better as a person and as a leader … but more on those resolutions later. Today, I’d like to add that to be a leader means doing the job, not just observing leadership. While we can learn from observing… Read More »
[December 31, 2015] I thought it most appropriate to end the year with a special shout-out to all the heroes who have made the United States such a great nation. Serving in the Vietnam War, Roy P. Benavidez was not just any hero; he was a tough and courageous soldier. Although he didn’t like to be called a… Read More »
[December 30, 2015] Shopping this past month for Christmas and birthday gifts provided amble time for me to observe both good and bad small business practices in action. It also gave me a snapshot of their core values and whether their employees understood and practiced those values in serving customers. Any business that survives for more than a… Read More »
[December 29, 2015] From Mahatma Gandhi to Winston Churchill to Theodore Roosevelt, all had something in common with the great leaders across history. Each had extreme self-discipline in their lives. Self-discipline helps people connect today’s behavior with tomorrow’s results; allowing a leader to know which is the right thing to do. Good leaders live by their ability to… Read More »
[December 28, 2015] The ability to absorb lessons on leadership begins at an early age. Most people start to discover solid leadership ideas as early teenagers and the best of them never lose that learning appetite. As a sophomore in high school I got a job pumping gas at a gasoline station in central Texas. I’ve never forgotten… Read More »
[December 27, 2015] The habit of treating all people like you would like to be treated is an adage that goes back before recorded history. It is the basis for all religions and for successful customer service in any business enterprise. Good habits for leaders also means taking the Golden Rule further and treating people like they would… Read More »
[December 24, 2015] Today is Christmas Eve and a very special time for Christians around the world as one of the most significant cultural celebrations in Christendom. My wife has made sure that we are fully prepared by starting her baking days beforehand. Like her, leaders are prepared. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” –… Read More »
[December 23, 2015] Appearing on the cover of LIFE Magazine on December 19, 1969, Charles Manson is the infamous cult leader of the “Family”.1 Cult leadership is frequently associated with megalomaniacs, crazies, and psychotic and narcissistic personalities. The danger may be evident in the case of Charles Manson but I will argue that it is for more insidious… Read More »