[December 26, 2018] Like me, many of my close friends over the recent past moved out of New York City. The exodus of middle-class citizens was once taken as a myth perpetrated by those who were viewed as the “less sophisticated and the dull” that couldn’t or wouldn’t appreciate what the city was all about. With a city… Read More »
[December 20, 2018] A recurring theme in successful military strategies has always been that war should be in that nation’s interests, quick and decisive, and justified on moral grounds. Now in the history books that the U.S. invades Panama in 1989, it should have been a predictable result of U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s strategically poor decision to hand… Read More »
[December 18, 2018] Have you ever met a person who did something for you but insisted you return an item or service of at least equal value to them? I would venture to say that most people expect to be compensated in some way. With good leaders, however, it’s not about quid pro quo1 but about accomplishing a… Read More »
[December 17, 2018] Ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right? Well, then hitch-up your truck to redneck leadership and your troubles will just scamper away. Redneck leadership is about knowing when to put your shotgun back on your pickup’s gun rack and walk away. Redneck leadership means a lot and I’ll be exploring… Read More »
[December 14, 2018] I watched in amazement as a sitting U.S. president attempted to lie craftily. Bill Clinton, charismatic and good-old-boy, was trying hard to justify why he wasn’t lying when he said: “There is nothing going on between us [referring to sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky].” Before a federal grand jury, he famously said, “It depends upon… Read More »
[December 13, 2018] For anyone not living under a rock, you certainly will agree that many folks today are just too sensitive. As I see it, the problem is that leaders are, as well, too sensitive. We are quick to be insulted; believing others have disrespected, snubbed, or neglected us. And this leader trend is worsening compared to… Read More »
[December 12, 2018] Back in 2007, I was putting together a large military construction effort and working closely with a senior Colonel from the Australian Army. One day we were talking about how military construction project secrets so quickly reached the newspapers. In his typical Aussie approach he told me that when the grass is cut, the snakes… Read More »
[December 10, 2018] There’s an old piece of leadership advice – one that I’m unsure the origin – that goes something like this; true leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders. Good advice. A mentor of mine told me that only one thing determines whether or not you’re a true leader; the opinion of those folks you’re… Read More »
[December 9, 2018] There will always be unintended consequences in what we do; even in the most righteous and just behaviors. American colleges and universities have taken great strides over the past few decades to be welcoming and committed to justice for all. Yet, in their zeal to correct wrongs, they themselves have deviated from their traditional mission… Read More »
[December 6, 2018] It was 5am on a snowy January in southwestern Germany’s Black Forrest, many decades ago when I first encountered Sergeant “Bad Boy Mac” McCracken. McCracken was known for his hot temper and miserable demeanor. It took me only a few minutes to witness his bad attitude and the impact was to be significant. I received… Read More »