[November 26, 2013] I vividly remember reading the Miss Manners column in our local Texas newspaper back in the early 1980s. What drew my attention to them was her ability to give such common sense advice about how to have good manners under difficult social circumstances. She was good at telling us how to handle “old Uncle Billy”… Read More »
[November 25, 2013] On January 12, 1950, Secretary of State Dean Acheson gave a speech in which he explained America’s Asian Policy, specifically saying that certain countries (e.g., Japan, Philippines) were inside the United States’ protective sphere. South Korea1 was not mentioned in his speech and five months later, North Korea2 invaded. Acheson was severely criticized for giving… Read More »
[November 24, 2013] The Origin of Species was published November 24, 1859, just 154 years ago today. But its applicability to human organizations and psychology is clear. Yesterday I wrote about the necessary immense adaptability of senior leaders. We can learn much from Darwin’s writings. Below I have listed some of my favorite quotes from Darwin. “A man… Read More »
[November 24, 2013] I originally wrote this blog post with the title “Disrespect to Leaders” but realized that I was actually leaving out a big part of the picture by not including “anger.” What brought me to this conclusion was an article published a couple of days ago entitled “America’s Anger Epidemic: Why?” by Dan Bowens. In order… Read More »
[November 23, 2013] To paraphrase Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Although written for a theory to explain how species survive, the idea has applicability to success in human organizations. Adaptability is at the core… Read More »
[November 22, 2013] Fifty years ago today in 1963, US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The nation was shocked and grief stricken. Nevertheless, there was an orderly and peaceful leader transition to the new President, Lyndon B. Johnson. Organizations transition senior leaders for a variety of reason. While it can be a good thing when replacing an… Read More »
[November 21, 2013] Everyone has probably seen the classic 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. One subplot is about the problems that occur when the Wizard of Oz (a senior leader) is naive about what is going on around him. It is a risk to senior leaders, protected by well-meaning staffs, to find themselves insulated or protected from… Read More »
[November 20, 2013] Today I’m speaking to veterans who are beginning their college experience. The message is simple – with passion, adaptability, and some basic college skills, they will succeed. Senior leaders have the responsibility to help improve the success rate of our veterans; we owe them at least this much. The success rate of veterans in college… Read More »
[November 19, 2013] 150 years ago in the mist of the American Civil War, US President Abraham Lincoln gave one of the best known, most quoted speeches in American history – known today as the “Gettysburg Address.” President Lincoln is recognized as one of the greatest senior leaders in American history. The Gettysburg address is an example of… Read More »
[November 18, 2013] Leaders have trouble remembering that “secret” information is not truly secret, especially in this age of evolving communication’s technology. If you tell someone about anything, put it in writing, or place it where it can be seen, it will eventually become public and no longer secret. Most people will remember US Representative Anthony Weiner D-NY,… Read More »