[December 29, 2017] The night was unusually dark and windy … perfect weather for an attack on an enemy fortified position located in a village just east of Baghdad. We had complete tactical surprise because unit leaders were ready to make sound and timely decisions. Over 25 Sunni insurgents were killed or captured that night due to the… Read More »
[December 22, 2017] A few months ago I had the opportunity to witness good leadership on the part of our Boy Scout Troop Scoutmaster. A new 12-year old scout was about to go on his first campout. The scoutmaster had a long conversation with the scout explaining the potential problems and the opportunities such a trip would provide. … Read More »
[December 17, 2017] Several years ago I profiled U.S. General Douglas MacArthur and was criticized for writing about a “dead white guy.” My goal here at theLeaderMaker.com will never be politically correct or conform to any recent social fads. So, in this series I’ve profiled some of the most evil people and some of the best humankind has… Read More »
By guest blogger Kevin Nelson [see Biography] [December 16, 2017] There is an endless demand to develop better leaders. Leadership education is at a critical stage with many universities neglecting to add it into their curriculum. While there are some universities that offer leadership education, most of them offer a theoretical approach to leadership and forget to emphasize… Read More »
[December 13, 2017] In the movie Aliens (1986), there is a scene where highly-trained colonial marines are about to be airdropped into a facility where they are to fight against the sinister extraterrestrials. When asked by Ripley how many combat drops Lieutenant Gorman has under his belt, he replies, “uh, two, including this one.” It did not inspire… Read More »
[December 12, 2017] Good leadership means possessing a well-developed sense of planning ahead. Not surprisingly it is also recognized in basic leader development that planning is the key to being prepared, good decision-making, and quality of life. That is why the best leaders have a planning cell in their leadership toolbox. This “planning cell” – or whatever name… Read More »
[November 28, 2017] The Greek philosopher Antisthenes once said: “The most useful piece of learning … is to unlearn what is untrue.” As a new trend, many educators have jumped on the unlearning bandwagon and also began simultaneously misleading us regarding what it is and the merits on which it is based. “Unlearning is the process of letting… Read More »
[November 22, 2017] It was many years ago that the group of 200 young Lieutenants were standing rigidly at the position of attention. In front of them was a battle-hardened senior officer giving them advice on how to succeed at all U.S. Army schools. The first piece of advice was that any feelings, desires, and wants they have… Read More »
[November 9, 2017] It is being called the “biggest scandal in U.S. Navy history;” over 60 admirals and hundreds of officers under scrutiny for a scandal involving alcohol and prostitutes.”1 The hype is overblown but nevertheless raises the important issue of dangerous traps for leaders. “Every leader has the responsibility to hone his or her integrity. Many times,… Read More »
[November 8, 2017] Written in English and Arabic above the door entering the Tactical Operations Center for Coalition forces occupying Iraq in 2004 and onward, were the words Who Else Needs to Know.1 Our commander, like so many of us, had a number of bad experiences when members of our unit failed to inform him of important events. … Read More »