[August 4, 2016] Someone once said, as best as I can remember, that being overly facetious is the deed of amateurs and a flaw of leaders.1 A few years ago my commander, a senior U.S. Army General, told us that our unit had won the military’s highest award for maintenance of heavy equipment. His comments set into motion… Read More »
[May 10, 2015] Battles in war teach us many things and being a combat veteran those battles bring particularly hard lessons when I study them. The (in)famous Battle of Hamburger Hill was a part of the Vietnam War’s Operation Apache Snow in which tactical engagements lasting from May 10 to 20 in 1969. What the battle reaffirmed was… Read More »
[April 4, 2016] I’m a believer that leaders are made, not born, and, I’m a firm believer that the best leaders are made in the crucible of fire. That fire can be combat or any other high-level emergency or challenge that is overcome. Leaders who survive it are all the better for the experience. And so it is… Read More »
[March 2, 2016] The other day I was having a lively dinner conversation with some of my best Army buddies (nearly everyone a retired Sergeant Major). If I were to list any word that comes to mind when addressing a Sergeant Major, it would be “respect” because they certainly deserve it. The reason? Every one I’ve ever… Read More »
[February 23, 2016] Not long ago as children we once listened to the stories of World War II veterans. We “played army” with our friends and spent time daydreaming about how we would help America win its battles. No longer do we talk with WWII veterans as nearly all have passed away. As a child I was lucky to… Read More »
[February 11, 2016] In the style of the American football coach George Allen, turning losers into winners is something truly remarkable to witness. Some leaders have it, others don’t. Here at theLeaderMaker.com, it is a key principle that leadership is learned and therefore all of us have the ability to take our teams across the finish line and… Read More »
Past Daily Favorites from 2020 Past Daily Favorites from 2021 Past Daily Favorites from 2022 Past Daily Favorites from 2023 Past Daily Favorites from 2024 Past Daily Favorites from 2025 This is my new page that links to some of my daily favorite readings on leadership.: If they stretch the imagination and add to our understanding of the… Read More »
[January 3, 2016] As luck would have it, I was reviewing some reading material and notes taken from my Infantry Officer Basic Course the other evening. In it I stumbled upon my study of the Mi Lai Massacre in Vietnam. I remember clearly how the course instructor had told us the shame it had brought upon the U.S.… Read More »
[December 31, 2015] I thought it most appropriate to end the year with a special shout-out to all the heroes who have made the United States such a great nation. Serving in the Vietnam War, Roy P. Benavidez was not just any hero; he was a tough and courageous soldier. Although he didn’t like to be called a… Read More »
[November 20, 2014] When three of my friends and I joined the U.S. Army, we were happy to be away from home and thrilled to finally reach the pinnacle of real men by being real soldiers. After two days of intense basic combat training (emphasis on “combat”) we had second thoughts. My best friend asked us on the… Read More »