[January 12, 2015] A minor theme here in this blog has been the biased reporting of the various news media. When it occurs, the bias often distorts reporting on our military and police forces and as such is deep rooted, contrary to cultural norms, and purposeful. It also reflects poorly on our nation’s senior leaders because they sometimes… Read More »
[January 11, 2015] A good friend that I will call “John”, an admiral retired from the U.S. Navy about a year, tells me that looking back gives him a healthier perspective. As many do, he keeps in touch with his active military comrades. He tells me that if there is one thing that angered him, it was that… Read More »
[January 10, 2015] Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has stepped forward to become one of the world’s most important senior leaders. What he has been saying and doing is the epitome of real leadership at the highest level. El-Sisi is Muslim and yet works to unify both Christian and Muslims, and also to improve stability in the region. He… Read More »
[January 09, 2015] Those employed in private business are likely to know a military veteran in the workplace. Not surprisingly, that veteran is more likely to show good leader traits and is more likely to be trusted, relative to their peers. Why veterans take on leadership jobs and quickly do well in business leader roles is no accident.… Read More »
[January 08, 2015] In Part 1 of this why veterans fail series, I proposed that military veterans who fail more than their peers would likely have failed anyway. Many veterans will see this if they look closely at the issue, as surely as I have. I argue that there are two possible factors. First, the self-election of those… Read More »
[January 07, 2015] Anyone familiar with the debate over why veterans fail at a greater rate in college, business, and other measures of wellness, know that the most customary reason given is their inability to integrate back into society. I would like to propose a more fundamental view and that is U.S. military veterans fail more often because they… Read More »
[January 06, 2015] I’m reading several books all at the same time. Now that may seem a bit odd … yes? I have found that those who like to keep up-to-date on the latest trends, important issues of the day, and creative thinking, often do read various mediums. Printed books in particular are good for reading several at… Read More »
[January 05, 2015] Leaders are adept at using tools – things that make it easier and less time consuming to assist them carrying out their duties. It is expected that they always look for ways to improve themselves. One item in the leadership toolbox not used enough is personal coaching. Ideally this is done by someone who has… Read More »
[January 04, 2014] My grandmother told me to always do the right thing – and grandmothers are always giving the best of advice. As leaders we are obligated to do what we believe to be the right thing. For example, U.S President Obama has repeatedly invoked this to justify executive actions on immigration, health care, etc. Yet, if… Read More »
[January 03, 2014] Learning about leadership starts at a young age. As a little boy in the late 1950s, when visiting my grandparents, I was sent to the fields to pick cotton by hand. After my first day, my grandfather paid me my wage of 10 cents. That day I learned valuable lessons on leadership I didn’t realize… Read More »