[January 24, 2017] As junior leaders we have our entire team surround us and, of course, talking to them is easy. As senior leaders, however, that is rarely the case and because of vast geographic dispersion, using other means to communicate is a necessity. Yet while many leaders recognize this fact, what they fail to see is that… Read More »
[January 23, 2017] A basic unwritten rule in military leadership is never to criticize the outgoing leader as the incoming leader. When beginning a new leadership position, it is impossible to know everything the previous leader saw as obstacles to success. It is therefore the right thing to do to never criticize that outgoing leader. This “rule” is… Read More »
[January 22, 2017] The study and observation of senior leaders in action is required for learning how to be effective leaders. This past Friday, I promised to provide feedback on the transition of Donald Trump into the presidency of the United States. I will occasionally come back to this. For today the topic will be President Trump’s Inauguration… Read More »
[January 21, 2017] Those of us who’ve played on a sports team have been on the losing end of a game. And every athletic coach has had that “talk” with team members on how to behave when they lose. Their message is always clear; don’t be a sore loser. Sore losers show their immaturity and their weaknesses become… Read More »
[January 20, 2017] Opportunities to look into the interworkings of senior leadership occur occasionally; most prominently when there is a transition in leadership. Earlier today, Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States. In part because mass media is hostile to his presidency but more so because he is an authentic leader, I think those of… Read More »
[January 20, 2017] The first book I ever read that dealt seriously with the topic of leadership and discipline was General George S. Patton’s book (1982 edition), War As I Knew It.1 For the U.S. military, the early 1980s was a time of change; moving from the legacy tactics of Vietnam to a modern, brigade-centric combat force. “There… Read More »
[January 19, 2017] Great leaders know instinctively that those who can inspire others to learn, be, and do more in their lives possess the best and rarest leadership skills.1 They know that it’s not their title that makes them great, the money they are paid, or the number of followers; greatness only comes from inspiring others to achieve… Read More »
[January 18, 2017] This is my fourth post in a series on my personal view of the War in Iraq. It spans my thoughts after one year in combat during its early years; 2005-2007. That was a time where many of us got to know the Iraqis, terrorists, other combat troops, contractors, hometown folks, reports, and politicians. To… Read More »
[January 17, 2017] This is not a history lesson. Neither is this a lesson in botany. What many of us were taught about the Irish Potato Famine was that the Irish were ignorant (drunk and lazy) and that led to the potato (and the crops demise) being used for most of the population’s nutrition needs. The famine, however,… Read More »
[January 16, 2017] Martin Luther King, Jr., was a great leader and all inspiring students of leadership should study him closely.1 The reason is that MLK was not just a great visionary and communicator but that he was great despite his many deep personal flaws. We should remember both his achievements and his struggles for that is what… Read More »