[May 18, 2017] One of the good things about reading a book is that occasionally I stumble upon one (usually accidentally) that reinforces the time-tested basics of leadership. With the weather improving daily and my daily walking for exercise improving, I find myself less drawn to books that require thinking and more to those that entertainment. I consider… Read More »
[May 17, 2017] FBI Director James Comey was recently fired from his job after President Trump decided it was time for him to go. There are few people who would deny that the decision was necessary although it occurred rather abruptly. One of the reasons for the firing, it is alleged, is that Comey called Trump crazy (although… Read More »
[May 15, 2017] Our staff headquarters was going through a Transition of Authority (ToA) whereby an incoming military unit takes over the combat duties from an outgoing unit. When I arrived in July of that year, the violence in Iraq was the highest it had ever been. To complicate my transition into Engineer Staff operations, I had to… Read More »
[May 7, 2017] It comes with being a leader … eventually you’re going find yourself paying for the mistakes of other leaders. New leaders should get used to the idea and present themselves professionally so the least amount of damage is done to them, other leaders, and to their vocation. Practically, the best way to handle being blamed… Read More »
[May 5, 2017] Timely and accurate decisions are the linchpin to any good organization. But making decisions, especially hard decisions, is not always easy or popular; moral courage is required. A general officer and mentor of mine once said that senior leaders often have to choose between two terrible alternatives; it comes with the territory of a leader. … Read More »
By guest blogger Sadako Red [see disclaimer] [May 4, 2017] Ahhhh … identity politics continues to be alive and well in the City of Baltimore – a place I described as “stuck on stupid” just a few months ago in June when city leaders were adopting policies that simultaneously drove up crime rates and effectively dismantled its police… Read More »
[April 21, 2017] Here at theLeaderMaker.com I like to encourage habits that make leaders effective. In that context, I’ve found whenever a leader asks good questions, good things happen. Indeed, this is a significant fact that cannot be overlooked by those who fill the role of leader. There is, however, some confusion I will clear up. Two key… Read More »
[April 19 2017] Leadership is about people; young, old, male, female, your competitors, your family, the boss’s boss, etc. It’s about us all … and that is yet so simple of a concept that it’s often overlooked by leaders. But, the greatest leaders have never forgotten that it is about, and will always be about, all people. If… Read More »
[April 15, 2017] We deserve a little levity today. In the United States, this date is when our annual taxes are due. Today is also the anniversary of the RMS Titanic sinking, U.S. President Lincoln dying from an assassin’s bullet, and terrorist bombing the Boston Marathon; among other infamous events. It is also the day that Molly Brown… Read More »
[April 12, 2017] Jousting is an old European martial sport originating sometime in the High Middle Ages1 and being popular among the Anglo-Norman knighthood because it showed courage, strength, endurance, and glory. Today it’s being revived and it is a manly endeavor. Some say it is accurately described as the world’s most dangerous sport in history. Louis Zamperini,… Read More »