[December 7, 2018] There will be times when even the most successful will suffer from significant setbacks but only from those harsh lessons can great success truly emerge. And so it was on this date, December 7, 1941, that the United States suffered greatly from the destructive attack on its naval base at Pearl Harbor.1 “It’s fine to… Read More »
[November 22, 2018] It was once said that the most powerful armies are those that are both patient and daring. Nearly five centuries ago, one of the most audacious battles ever planned and fought occurred in Peru between a tiny Spanish force and an Incan empire. The Battle of Cajamarca occurred on November 16, 1532. Most readers of… Read More »
[November 6, 2018] As incoming Freshman in college, everyone was required to take a contemporary English class. One of the required books in the class was by Thomas A. Harris, MD, I’m Okay You’re Okay.1 It focused on the transactions among people. Ultimately it was about accepting who we are. Yet the idea that leaders should accept themselves… Read More »
[November 5, 2018] From time immemorial, battles have been won or lost because of the ordinary foot soldier. This foot soldier deserves to be called honorable because it is he who carries the nation’s colors, bears the burden of fighting and dying, and is the one also quickly forgotten. The concept of foot soldier does not just apply… Read More »
[November 1, 2018] After eight years of a bitter struggle, the U.S. Revolutionary War was coming to a close. By 1782, General George Washington had run a ragtag army and, with the help of the French, had beaten the British. The war’s end seemed in sight but there were problems within the officer ranks of the Americans.1 On… Read More »
[October 26, 2018] Early last year, I wrote about ‘good’ things we can learn from a dog (see link here). In the article were listed ten things; one of them was that promises don’t count and talk is cheap. My intent was to show that there are valuable leadership traits that transcend gender, culture, and perhaps even animal… Read More »
[October 11, 2018] In a popular 2007 drawing by cartoonist Michael P. Ramirez, a soldier stands ready for combat but with a knife in his back; bloodied with the words “Congress” written in the blood. This political cartoon became popular among troops sent to Iraq. It symbolized their anger at the U.S. Congress because their elected representatives were… Read More »
[October 5, 2018] Two years ago I wrote about my 1983 The Army Officer’s Guide and how it propelled me toward success in my many decades of service. I’m fond of it and keep it on my desk. Today, when I pulled it out to flip through its covers, I fondly remembered reading about Army Traditions. At first,… Read More »
[October 4, 2018] As leaders we often discuss the importance of bringing new people into our organization and helping them adopt the institution’s culture. Leadership means many things but to accept someone is a part of taking care of them. The U.S. Army has a patch ceremony that begins this process as a formal recognition that new members… Read More »
[October 3, 2018] Good habits are developed through a conscious and meticulous mental process. They are not accidental. However, the issue on our plate today is about competitive habits for leaders. It has been my personal experience that leaders who allow themselves to possess any behavior that is not overtly good, will struggle. My blog post today is… Read More »