[February 4, 2020] There is an ancient religious idea that, with the right sacrifice, one will be saved in the eyes of the gods. For example, in the Bible’s story of Cain and Able, the concept of sacrifice first appears. I learned early in my military service, like in the biblical narrative, I had to make sacrifices if… Read More »
[February 2, 2020] To recognize one’s weaknesses, mistakes made, blunders and miscalculations are a necessary step on the path to good leadership. We all make mistakes, and there is not a leader who hasn’t made some real doozies in their lives. With the proper attitude, these can be some of the best learning experiences. Self-deprecating humor goes a… Read More »
[January 31, 2020] Leadership requires a joint-cooperative effort between the person in charge and those that are responsible for that leader’s success. In the U.S. military, there are positions occupied by the most senior enlisted service member that acts as an adviser to the commanding officer. A senior enlisted adviser (SEA) fulfills the role of coach, mentor, and… Read More »
[January 19, 2020] As leaders rise through their organizations, there is a standard piece of advice that is supposed to help them. Organizations are inherently complex and chaotic. Thus, we are told that leaders must focus their efforts a mile wide and an inch deep. The reasoning is persuasive. If a leader needs a greater understanding, the argument… Read More »
[January 17, 2016] When I retired from the U.S. Army back in 2014, I began reading more in-depth books that pushed my understanding of famous people. I was most interested with famous military men and biographies fulfilled that desire, but few could give me the real thinking of those men. What I didn’t realize at the time was… Read More »
[January 13, 2020] A few nights ago, I had an interesting conversation with a young man about his philosophy on raising kids. Below is part of the conversation (as best as I can remember it) that is at the heart what he thinks best for his children. I liked Bob M’s story1 enough that the ideas he expressed… Read More »
[January 9, 2020] Many techniques work well in delivering negative feedback. My dad, who worked his way up through the ranks of the Missouri Pacific Railroad (MOPAC), was fond of the Sandwich Technique.1 He told me that it was always best to surround criticism with compliments. It goes something like this, “Bob, you’re talented. You screwed up on… Read More »
[January 6, 2020] It should be profoundly evident that reading for leaders is essential. Reading is vital for the development of the mind by introducing new ideas and ways of doing things. Leaders, in particular, gain from an assortment of thinking methodologies. Such methods are why we often say that when a leader thinks, it is not in… Read More »
[January 3, 2020] Leadership is about people. If you are on board with this idea, then you are on your way to achieving good leader qualities. When you begin as a new leader, everything you do and say is an audition for how people see you. Are you a leader that is authentic or are you just faking… Read More »
[December 31, 2019] I got a call from a senior officer in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command last week. He wanted to talk about problems with in-coming recruits and, perhaps, I could give him some ideas. The issues he was starting to see in the Army were difficulties getting new Soldiers to adapt to military life, working long… Read More »