[March 8, 2018] This is a pretty bold statement to make since it is based only on conversations with senior leaders in the military. Sadly, however, it’s too true that leaders fear it. Because of the fear, I discovered that performance counseling of subordinates is just one of those things that is allowed to slip past without anyone… Read More »
[March 7, 2018] If you listen to renowned Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, he will tell you that to make life meaningful, one must take on demanding responsibilities. Any good leader could tell you the same thing. While everyone has certain societal rights they also have responsibilities and that what makes the world a decent place to work, worship,… Read More »
[March 6, 2018] Working close to the flag is an old military saying that means a soldier works near a senior officer’s headquarters.1 As in any organizational culture, this means greater visibility and more opportunity for that particular military member. Such a position translates into a number of possibilities that can help or harm one’s career. One of… Read More »
[March 5, 2018] “Demanding” respect is the surest way not to get it. People may show signs of respect for you if you have power over them but deep down they will not respect you if you demand respect from them. There are no shortcuts, formulas, or hacks to change how respect is obtained. Respect must be earned;… Read More »
By guest blogger Ernest M. Kennedy III [See Biography] [March 4, 2015] Someone once said that to be prepared for war is the most effective way of preserving the peace; smart. If we study lessons of war from philosophers or from political leaders who warn us about war, a few things stand out; war is bad, war solves… Read More »
[March 3, 2018] There’s a bit of old military humor that circulates occasionally that tells us about different cultures among the armed services. The central theme is that certain words can have significantly different meanings. The lesson is a good one and says that leaders must be precise in their speech. Here’s the joke: The reason the Air… Read More »
[March 2, 2018] It doesn’t matter if you are a man, woman, or child, getting ready to lead involves preparation to convince people to do things they would not ordinarily do. But … for the majority of people, they think that once they get into a leadership position someone will teach them how to lead people; this is… Read More »
[March 1, 2018] One of the first things that I learned from my military instructors on how to be a leader was to keep things simple. That’s not exactly what they said, it was keep it simple, stupid which is usually said in its acronym form KISS; oddly enough, originally a design application of the U.S. Navy in… Read More »
[February 28, 2018] Twenty-five years ago today, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) began a siege to the Branch Davidian religious compound outside Waco, Texas. After seven weeks the siege ended with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) storming the compound, resulting in the deaths of 80 men, women, children of the religious group and… Read More »
[February 27, 2018] On a muddy flat of palm trees, sand, and grass, U.S. General Peter W. Chiarelli, Commander 1st Calvary Division, was asked by an Infantry Squad Leader what he thought was the best thing he could do for the unit. This sergeant and his teammates had been under sustained enemy contact during the early part of… Read More »