[September 4, 2019] Leadership is not easy; it means taking on complex, ambiguous, and difficult problems. These are closely tied to our deepest values and we are limited by cultural mores and social responsibilities. Solutions can be slow and are often fraught with unintended consequences. When the government gets involved, it can bring enormous resources to bear; a… Read More »
[September 1, 2019] “Does not respond well to authority.” This was written in my friend Wilson’ first Officer Evaluation Report after one-year on the job as an Army Second Lieutenant. He was mad as hell about the comment but knew, deep down in his psyche, that it was true. His mom and dad would agree. He always had… Read More »
[August 31, 2019] In 2003, during the initial invasion of Iraq, the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines were often the tip of the spear of American and coalition attacks. They fought with distinction and were later deployed several more times to Iraq. Their motto is “Whatever it Takes.” One of the best habits a leader can have is to… Read More »
[August 30, 2019] I needed a one-hour credit college course to graduate, so I took Art History. The course, which I planned to do my absolute least amount of work to pass, turned into one of the most interesting courses ever. I learned about what was to become my favorite piece of art; the white Parian marble statue… Read More »
[August 26, 2019] If you want to debate the definition of leadership, ask any two Army Lieutenant to tell you what they think. Usually, an argument will ensue between them regarding what makes up a successful leader. There are a few things; however, they might agree upon – metrics of success. Some folks will argue that the whole… Read More »
[August 25, 2019] In my pre-teen days, a small group of friends and I worked stocking shelves in a local Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store. Billy was my best buddy and he was the “boss.” But we never saw the real boss; the store manager. The manager was the ghost leader; a name that employees had given him. “When… Read More »
[August 23, 2019] I was in for a shock. I’d just taken over battalion command in the U.S. Army and thought that I had reached the pinnacle of my career and that I was thus finished with working hard to get ahead. Wow, was I wrong. My boss, the brigade commander, had a few “suggestions” for us; in… Read More »
[August 21, 2019] It was a suggestion from my daughter that I write another article about what happens when leaders lie. Like me, she too is keenly conscious of leaders who lie. She said something recently that reminded me of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. “By a lie, a man… annihilates his dignity as a man” – Immanuel… Read More »
[August 20, 2019] We were told to be on the lookout for the Soviet-built ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft gun. In previous training exercises, the imitation ZSU had shot down several U.S. attack helicopters. We were missing the obvious battlefield threat of armored infantry and paid a heavy price in another scenario at the Fort Irwin simulated battlefield. In 1999… Read More »
[August 19, 2019] A few years ago, I wrote an article about the U.S. Congressional leadership authorizing attacks on British vessels in 1776. That strategic decision helped win the War of Independence. Later, with the U.S. Naval Act of 1794, Congress authorized the building of six frigates; one of the six built was named the USS Constitution. It… Read More »