[July 31, 2015] If there is one thing that I’ve learned as a senior leader it’s that the best predictor of success in leaders is how those adults fared as children – did they grow up in a stable family and have the right experiences? Many leaders have begun to emphasize the importance of developing certain characteristics in… Read More »
[July 21, 2015] There is an old Chinese short story about honesty and the rich gifts that telling the truth can bring upon us. Many of us, especially leaders, want success so badly that we can be enticed to lie … or perhaps just shade the truth a little. I’ve seen it done so many times by leaders… Read More »
[June 28, 2015] I’ve often written about how an organization’s core values help drive the conduct of its people and its external relationships with customers and stakeholders. Many examples were offered to help illustrate this fundamental fact about organizational behavior. Today, I will depart somewhat from my earlier format to bring forward an example of a more controversial,… Read More »
[May 10, 2015] Just last night I completed reading E.B. Sledge’s book With the Old Breed about his service as a United States Marine Corps private during World War II. In his personal memoir, Private Sledge writes about the devastation of war on his Marine comrades and on the local civilian population. He notes in particular how important… Read More »
[March 08, 2015] During my three years in Iraq as a U.S. Army engineer, I was exposed almost daily to KBR personnel who provided engineering and logistical support to the U.S. military. Without the capability provided by this firm, the military could not have operated at the level that U.S. and Coalition did to attack insurgent and terrorist… Read More »
[February 03, 2015] I was watching a televisions special on Costco the other night with my wife. She was captivated by Costco with their employees being so loyal and customers so happy. What is it that makes Costco so successful? Is it their business model or is it something else? Warehouse clubs that sell merchandise at low cost… Read More »
[January 27, 2015] Core values tell us a lot about people and their culture. Ten American core values were proposed in Parts 1 and 2 previously, but how can we test them against what American’s respect and see as popular? Most people the world over would likely be able to identify what Americans like and do so for… Read More »
[January 26, 2015] American core values are not something we hear people talk about much these days. We do hear politicians talking about “fairness” and “equality”, yet the meanings do not always align with what most Americans think. Our leaders help set the tone for dialog and we look to them for how to treat others and for… Read More »
[January 25, 2015] A few days ago, I was invited to have lunch with about a dozen good friends; all retired from the U.S. military. While eating our pastrami sandwiches and drinking cream soda, the inevitable comment came up about how many young people in the U.S. are so different from us. American core values have not had… Read More »
[January 22, 2015] Carved in granite for all to see is the West Point U.S. Military Academy (USMA) cadet honor code. It’s a simple description of those things that make for a better leader and is there for all to see. It states that “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”1 When followed,… Read More »