[May 11, 2021] You will always find pockets of leadership, sometimes in the least likely places, but where it is sorely needed. On Mother’s Day this past Sunday, a paid advertisement in the Star Tribune appeared that addressed a serious problem. Mothers of black children who live in the state of Minnesota are fed up with a Public… Read More »
[May 10, 2021] Years ago, as I was boarding a charter flight to Kuwait, a young woman stood in the doorway handing out mini-copies of the U.S. Constitution. I thanked her as I stuffed my copy into my helmet liner for later review. For those that know me professionally, they are aware that I am an advocate for studying America’s… Read More »
[May 9, 2021] A young Winston Churchill wrote in 1899 that Britain’s indulgence in war was an outgrowth of the betterment of all humanity. Like many leaders of the time, Churchill was a Baconian1 through and through. Englishman Francis Bacon had called for “the conquest of nature for the relief of man’s estate.” This idea was based on… Read More »
[May 8, 2021] I truly love sports. Sports are the one actual area of human endeavor that rests purely on merit. Athletes know that their performance is directly proportional to the effort they put into it. Caitlyn Jenner is one of those competitors who are vying for governor of California. I hope Caitlyn wins.1 Caitlyn Jenner was born… Read More »
[May 7, 2021] In 1968, my good friend Wilson asked me to see the movie “The Green Berets.” Starring John Wayne, the film was the first any boy in my neighborhood ever heard of the Green Berets; we were interested. Later that week, we saw the movie. That was Hollywood. Reality is better. U.S. President Kennedy wanted an… Read More »
[May 6, 2021] One of the themes of my leadership blog is that great leaders know when to break the rules.1 Put another way, they do things differently. What are those “rules” held so sacred by conventional wisdom that they are willing to break? Leaders have a different vision than ordinary folks, and great leaders know how to… Read More »
[May 5, 2021] A recent article in War Room, a U.S. Army War College’s professional publication, addresses an important strategic issue.1,2 With global proclivity to deter all war, senior political leaders must come to grips with a new age of economic, informational, and political competition. “The majority of military theories that underpin modern U.S. strategy and doctrine are… Read More »
[May 4, 2021] Throughout the West, we are witnessing an unusual trend. Organizations of all stripes are being politicized, where their mission changes depending upon political party affiliation. The downside to politicization is the usefulness of that organization. A recent example is the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Tasked with protecting American health, safety, and security threats, both… Read More »
[May 3, 2021] It is said that hard times create hard men. World War II was a war that characterized hard times, and out of that trauma came Curtis LeMay, a hard man; the youngest and longest-serving general in modern American history. He rose from obscurity, lacking social graces, old-boy connections, or lineage to become America’s most innovative… Read More »
[May 2, 2021] Wilson Cox, a childhood friend of mine, seemed to eat nothing but Cracker Jack caramel corn. Those over the age of 40 know what I mean when the “prize” that came in each box was small, cheap, and meant for little kids. If you’ve run into this Cracker Jack kind of military leadership, you’re not… Read More »