Ignoring Consequences

By | May 28, 2017

[May 28, 2017]  Many of my commanders in the U.S. Army were among the best this nation ever had to offer but it also included a few of the worst.  My first company commander was a man with many faults, one of which was that he often chose to ignore the consequences of his own actions.  Ignoring consequences… Read More »

Creating Confusion

By | May 27, 2017

[May 27, 2017]  If we were able to peer into the mindset of a narcissist, inexperienced manager, or failed leader the one thing we would find in common is their penchant at creating confusion.  Yet, it is the epitome of great leaders to thrive on making the best of volatility, uncertainty, chaos, and ambiguity in complex environments. Experienced,… Read More »

Leaders Get er Done

By | May 26, 2017

[May 26, 2017]  Get er done is an American colloquial phrase and philosophy that tells leaders to do the right things to succeed in life.  There always seems to be too much to do and not enough time.  Get er done helps push us to get what needs to be done and done without procrastination, hesitation, or excuses.… Read More »

Leadership Toolbox: After-Action Reviews

By | May 25, 2017

[May 25, 2017]  Having brutally frank, warts-and-all feedback is a crucial instrument in the leadership toolbox.  Found in the U.S. military and a few commercial enterprises the after-action review (AAR) is a rare form of open criticism that is the perfect way to make a leader stronger, more resilient, and honest.  It works! And it works only if… Read More »

Core Values: Enron

By | May 21, 2017

[May 21, 2017]  In 2001 as part of his senior project in High School, my son Sean wrote an essay about Enron; the most innovative company in America.  His idea was to show how a well run enterprise can be successful for its investors.  Sean graduated in May but in October of that same year, executives at Enron,… Read More »

How to Read a Question

By | May 20, 2017

[May 20, 2017]  Senior leaders are often asked complex, ambiguous questions that easily trip up even the most seasoned veteran of leadership.  What leaders learn, usually the hard way from blundering an answer, is that good answers require knowing how to read a question. Whether it be at a news conference, an interview, or fielding ad hoc questions… Read More »

Hero: Lionel Crabb

By | May 19, 2017

[May 19, 2017]  British Royal Navy officer Lionel Crabb was a frogman (underwater diver) who served with distinction during World War II and for a time afterwards.  He was described as tiny and a poor swimmer with a long nose, bright eyes, and with his miniature frame he might have been an aquatic garden gnome.1  Lionel Crabb is… Read More »