[November 20, 2020] Several years ago, I wrote about core American values to set a baseline for my leadership blog (see links here, here, and here). Core values say a lot about who we are and where we are going. This is why I spend so much of my time today with our military veterans; they understand what… Read More »
[October 11, 2020] Freedom is a value. But “freedom” – in its many variations and circumstances – is also a path to human wisdom and excellence in life. It has been far too long since I’ve written on core values and the importance they have in our existence. Today, our subject is the organization known as the Foundation… Read More »
[September 17, 2020] Those who study statesmanship and the experienced leadership know how difficult it is to make progress on old and emotionally-laden political issues. Two days ago, the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel signed a peace deal with one another. Casual observers will not understand the significance of or difficulty in this achievement, and that is unfortunate. Those… Read More »
[September 14, 2020] My first tour of duty in the U.S. Army was in West Germany; the year was 1974 and before the wall came down. While in-processing on a military base in the city of Bad Wimpfen, I was given a 12-hour pass that I used to tour the old city. There I met an old man… Read More »
[August 17, 2020] Well, it’s been a few months since my last spindle post. Still, so many issues have developed regarding leadership (the lack of it, mostly) that several readers asked for my comments on several current issues facing our society. Regular readers will recognize my interests in showing how good leadership is often the solution to real… Read More »
[August 15, 2020] There is much to be said about the evils of racial discrimination. It helps very few and hurts many, it generates animosity, and it fosters hate. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Yale University of results from a two-year-long investigation. The DOJ findings were that Yale illegally discriminates against Asian American and… Read More »
[August 7, 2020] Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest President in the Nation’s history when he assumed those responsibilities upon the death of William McKinley. Roosevelt took the view that the Presidency was the “steward of the people.” And, we can find a similar leadership philosophy in the company called Trader Joe’s. “It is only through labor and painful… Read More »
[July 20, 2020] Nearly every article I write in my leadership blog, I used the word “success.” Yet, I never define it, nor do I spend any effort to explain what I mean. If you are like me, we assume the other person implicitly understands and agrees with our criteria for success. Most of us, those who live… Read More »
[July 16, 2020] It isn’t easy to run a business. To do it successfully during poor economic times is even more problematic. A few days ago, the recently-hired New York Times opinion editor, published a scathing resignation letter about the “toxic and destructive” culture of the old Gray Lady. Bari Weiss posted her letter in a classic example… Read More »
[June 28, 2020] I’ve been to the U.S. Army Fort Benning, Georgia, many times, receiving training, giving lectures and speeches, and attending a variety of schools. Like many Infantry officers before me, I gave no thought to who the fort was named after or why. But who was Henry Benning?1 Henry Benning, the fort’s namesake, was a Brigadier… Read More »