[October 11, 2018] In a popular 2007 drawing by cartoonist Michael P. Ramirez, a soldier stands ready for combat but with a knife in his back; bloodied with the words “Congress” written in the blood. This political cartoon became popular among troops sent to Iraq. It symbolized their anger at the U.S. Congress because their elected representatives were… Read More »
[October 10, 2018] A friend of mine since childhood, Jerry, seemed like a contradiction in his psychological makeup. He was fiercely independent yet he was also a dedicated team player. Many of his friends, like me, questioned how a leader can be both independent and a team player at the same time. Here is how he did it!… Read More »
[October 9, 2018] It’s tough being a leader and it’s even harder being a great leader. What separates the great from the mediocre is moral courage. Today, I’ll discuss this very issue. The Madison, Wisconsin City Council recently voted to remove a grave marker of Confederate prisoners of war and in doing so showed their moral cowardice. The… Read More »
[October 8, 2018] The quote below from Thomas Edison is one of my personal favorites. Edison is, of course, one of the world’s most famous and prolific inventors. Like many who are fantastically successful, they tell us that success only comes through seizing opportunities. “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks… Read More »
[October 7, 2018] In my long-running series on leader trends, I’ve tried to lay out what I see as troubling patterns in leadership. It’s usually something that has happened that sparks my interest and that is what motivated me today. The recent U.S. Supreme Court confirmation process has convinced me that our national leaders are actually pushing hate… Read More »
[October 6, 2018] Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once wrote that anyone who uses violence as a method to suppress people must then “inexorably choose lying as his principle.” After many years in Soviet-communist labor camps and prisons, he knows of what he speaks. He would tell us that leaders lying to you is not okay. The idea that lies from… Read More »
[October 5, 2018] Two years ago I wrote about my 1983 The Army Officer’s Guide and how it propelled me toward success in my many decades of service. I’m fond of it and keep it on my desk. Today, when I pulled it out to flip through its covers, I fondly remembered reading about Army Traditions. At first,… Read More »
[October 4, 2018] As leaders we often discuss the importance of bringing new people into our organization and helping them adopt the institution’s culture. Leadership means many things but to accept someone is a part of taking care of them. The U.S. Army has a patch ceremony that begins this process as a formal recognition that new members… Read More »
[October 3, 2018] Good habits are developed through a conscious and meticulous mental process. They are not accidental. However, the issue on our plate today is about competitive habits for leaders. It has been my personal experience that leaders who allow themselves to possess any behavior that is not overtly good, will struggle. My blog post today is… Read More »
[October 2, 2018] In most armies worldwide there’s a classic story of a Second Lieutenant who was not trusted by his platoon because he was so “green” (inexperienced and untested). Just like this lieutenant, until you earn your spurs in any vocation you will find the road to leadership challenging and frustrating. Earn your spurs is, of course,… Read More »