[April 5, 2016] I got a call the other day from a retired colonel who was one of my several military mentors. He wanted to know if, during my time as a General officer, I had mentored anyone and if so were they successful. I told him that the question was a bit odd because those I agreed… Read More »
[April 4, 2016] I’m a believer that leaders are made, not born, and, I’m a firm believer that the best leaders are made in the crucible of fire. That fire can be combat or any other high-level emergency or challenge that is overcome. Leaders who survive it are all the better for the experience. And so it is… Read More »
[April 3, 2016] After one year in the American War of Independence with Britain, on April 3, 1776, the Continental Congress authorized private commercial ships, known as privateers, to attack British ships. The war was to last another seven years but one of the best strategic decisions of that Congress was this authorization. British vessels were harassed throughout… Read More »
[April 2, 2016] If I recall it correctly, my second grade teacher told me once that I needed to do a better job at empathizing with others. This was over half a century ago when good conduct was considered an asset and before U.S. President Bill Clinton told us “I feel your pain.” And now we see people… Read More »
[April 1, 2016] Growing up I was a big fan of the movie actor John Wayne. To me, he was a real man … “a man’s man” as my friends would say. He was the epitome of an in-your-face cowboy showing strength, toughness, resilience, and “attitude.” My favorite movie was True Grit (1969) where he starred in the… Read More »
[March 31, 2016] The study of leadership often means the review of successful leaders and the institutions where they practice their trade. It also means we should examine failed leadership where valuable information on what not to do can be found. Such is the case in the recent deadly terrorist attack in Brussels where its leadership could have… Read More »
[March 29, 2016] Neither the Western countries nor the United States has a strategy for how they will work with Islamic nations economically, diplomatically, or militarily. No Western leader has yet to make a serious attempt to place into context the problems that continue to grow there and threatens their own nation states. No one should be surprised,… Read More »
[March 28, 2016] I’m often asked what is more difficult … to stand for what I believe in and do the right thing (moral courage) or to stand against a deadly enemy on the battlefield and fight (physical courage). I have found moral courage to be far more difficult but our leadership is often tested and as humans… Read More »
[March 27, 2016] Faith drives the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ … and Easter Day is celebrated annually to recognize that He paid the penalty of death for our sins. Faith is not based in scientific proof and it cannot be forced upon people. Leadership is also based upon faith, not that different from Christian faith… Read More »
[March 26, 2016] On my first field exercise as an army Lieutenant, I was tasked to take my platoon from our base camp to another location a short distance away. Twelve armored personnel carriers readied and off we went … and since I was a great map reader, I anticipated no problems on the trip. Unfortunately for me… Read More »