[February 21, 2019] “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” So began a commencement speech by U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven to graduates at the University of Texas (see outtake at link here). This is, of course, an analogy; one that helps us to remember the real message which is to get… Read More »
[February 19, 2019] Soon after the turn of the 20th Century, my paternal grandmother traveled across the U.S. riding in a covered wagon. As a kid, she told me stories that perked my interest in the Conestoga wagon and the hearty folks that used them to begin a new life out West. But it scared the wits out… Read More »
[February 18, 2019] It seemed like only a few years ago, but my first Platoon Sergeant gave me some good words of advice. He said it was important to take on small opportunities that would lead to big opportunities. At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about; it made no sense. When people can… Read More »
[February 13, 2019] The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York has an honor code1 that goes back to its founding in 1802. It reads, “A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.” However today, cheating is not only encouraged, but anyone who doesn’t cheat is considered old-fashioned and obsessive. “I would… Read More »
[February 12, 2019] Dealing with children can be an amazing experience; one filled with new things, high energy, and interesting challenges. Observing children at play with their peers opens new windows into the importance of how children progress to be likable youngsters. Their efforts are not that different from a balanced leader; one who seeks the right attitude… Read More »
[February 9, 2019] There are plenty of practical lessons for leaders to consider in their journey to better understanding people. Goodness is one of those universally desirable attributes that indicate that this is a person who is trustworthy. However, judging people by their kind acts can be misleading if you’re looking for goodness. Some folks display a façade… Read More »
[February 8, 2019] Yesterday morning I was at my dentist’s office for a cleaning and checkup. The dental hygienist was talkative, of course, while my mouth is open and I couldn’t talk. But she said something that interested me. She said that I was one of few people who came in that actually knew how to do maintenance… Read More »
[February 4, 2019] The motto at the U.S. Army Infantry School is “Follow Me.” Implicit, but utterly clear is their message that a leader is always on point; out in front of others and making things happen properly. This is where we get the old saying that great leaders forever lead from the front. Real leaders never lead… Read More »
[February 1, 2019] There’s a kid’s guessing game that is old as humans have been on this Earth. It involves one child holding something in one hand and asking another which hand holds the object. It’s a simple guessing game. Or is it? Unlike the average child who gets to chose randomly, leaders don’t guess. I used to… Read More »
[January 22, 2019] Leadership often means breaking new ground, going places no one has gone before, and dealing with complex and difficult problems that would overwhelm most people. In 1914 a great war began that was to ravage much of Europe and test the values of the United States. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson concluded that it was in… Read More »