[November 13, 2017] Recently I wrote about ethical traps that leaders are caught-up in and gave some advice on how to avoid them; mostly through knowing the rules and being focused on what you are doing. One of those traps involved receiving gifts and is a common way for a professional to end a good career because of… Read More »
[November 10, 2017] My commander’s Kevlar helmet went flying across the tent, bouncing off a table, and rolling onto the grass outside. He’d thrown it out of frustration; his tactical center not getting him the analysis of the “opposing force” battle formation. Something I had learned long before this event was that there was something you should never… Read More »
[November 9, 2017] It is being called the “biggest scandal in U.S. Navy history;” over 60 admirals and hundreds of officers under scrutiny for a scandal involving alcohol and prostitutes.”1 The hype is overblown but nevertheless raises the important issue of dangerous traps for leaders. “Every leader has the responsibility to hone his or her integrity. Many times,… Read More »
[November 8, 2017] Written in English and Arabic above the door entering the Tactical Operations Center for Coalition forces occupying Iraq in 2004 and onward, were the words Who Else Needs to Know.1 Our commander, like so many of us, had a number of bad experiences when members of our unit failed to inform him of important events. … Read More »
[November 7, 2017] I have wanted to write an article on the communism for a long time; to tie it in with the idea that the ideology in practice is by any measure unadulterated evil. Maybe that is too predictable, too has-been, too … who cares anymore? The beginning was with the coup, began by Vladimir Lenin on… Read More »
[November 3, 2017] At theLeaderMaker.com I have a short series that identifies “tools” – usually established by other leaders – that help real leaders be better at what they do and work more efficiently and effectively (see a few list in the notes section). Leaders carry various items in their toolbox that are designed with care and tested… Read More »
[November 2, 2017] Humility has a way of becoming a self-reinforcing trait for good leaders who desire to improve themselves. In contrast, many leaders neither have a clue about having humility nor do they understand its benefits to everyone … or even what it is. That may be a shocking revelation but as we go about being leaders,… Read More »
[November 1, 2017] Leadership often means advancing into new territory; operating when the rules are unclear or confusing, working with organizations that are not ready for change, or advancing an agenda that is highly controversial. This describes the political situation in the breakaway region of Spain known as Catalonia. Leaders and followers of the Catalonia Independence Movement are… Read More »
[October 31, 2017] Now that it’s scary Halloween1, it would be appropriate to take on the frightening topic of politics influencing organizations. A question often asked is whether leaders should allow politics to influence their organization’s mission and values. It’s a question often addressed at the most senior levels in nearly every organization. Those answers rarely concur but… Read More »
[October 29, 2017] Growing up I had a few heroes. Like most of my buddies, we were enthralled by the famous exploits of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, President Teddy Roosevelt, and astronaut John Glenn. Each of these men with their own individual leadership style was a major contributor to the advancement of America’s scientific community. In February 1962,… Read More »