[December 21, 2019] There is always a price to pay for the dark-side of success. Those costs can have deteriorating and corrupting effects on one’s family and self, loss of privacy, and social isolation. Avoiding the downside to success takes on a life of its own after one reaches a point that one’s leadership reaches large numbers of… Read More »
[December 20, 2019] An old, tough U.S. Marine sergeant once told me that the only reason he was alive today was that the [U.S. Marine] Corps had transformed him from a weakling teenage boy into a “lean, mean fighting machine.” It was the hardest thing he had ever done, and this Marine knew what he was saying. The… Read More »
[December 19, 2019] Fairy tales from ancient times often depict dragons as purveyors of violence and evil. These dragons are metaphors about our lives where people struggle for their existence and the hardships they endure. In these stories, an influential leader (often a King, prince, or knight) will slay the dragon; else great destruction will descend upon the… Read More »
[December 16, 2019] There’s an old saying in the military that logistics is the ball and chain of armored warfare. We’ve all been there. Regardless of who we are, what responsibilities we bear, what we desire and need, there never seems to be enough “stuff” to do our jobs. Every other month, I look forward to receiving my… Read More »
[December 15, 2019] An old Vietnam War veteran was one of my mentors when I was an Infantry Company Commander. He was also a great coach. His favorite topic was teaching his officers how leaders listen. I was fortunate to have him as a member of my unit. “Listen to many, speak to a few.” – William Shakespeare,… Read More »
[December 14, 2019] The Japanese surrendered unconditionally on September 2, 1945, onboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Part of the plan for Japan after World War II was to end its military adventurism. To do so would not be an easy task. U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, as the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers in the Pacific,… Read More »
[December 13, 2019] The purpose of a coach is to provide a vision, to cheer lead, to guide, to push, and to teach us what is essential. A coach’s job is to motivate people beyond the ordinary and to make them better. For a leader, it is of the utmost importance that we also coach others to be… Read More »
[December 12, 2019] A few years ago, I wrote a couple of articles on some of the “good” and “bad” things I learned while in the military.1,2 Likewise, there are important things that helped me be successful during my U.S. Army career that I didn’t learn in the military. My grandmother would be proud since she helped a… Read More »
[December 9, 2019] I’ve had the personal good fortune to speak with military veterans who were in the most desperate, destructive battles of the 20th Century.1 I learned a few things from them that I will pass along today. The most important lesson they gave me was – do those things you fear. Such advice seems counterproductive. Why… Read More »
[December 8, 2019] One dominant theme in the study of leadership is to prove oneself worthy of holding the mantle of responsibility. A successful leader is one who has built a reputation for accountability, trustworthiness, and sound judgment.1 How one does this is subject to debate. But when a leader is tested in the crucible of fire, there… Read More »