[March 6, 2016] In an earlier post I laid out 10 things to know before joining the Army (see link here). While the post is slanted toward the U.S. Army, it applies with some modification to all military services across most nations. Today, the list involves things that senior and retired officers told me that they wished they’d… Read More »
[March 5, 2016] The thing my friends and I feared more than anything else while growing up, except our parents disapproval, was that we might get an ole fashioned ass wuppin’. We feared it not because someone might physically beat us so thoroughly that we couldn’t walk but because it meant we were caught doing something so stupid… Read More »
[March 4, 2016] Most folks I talk to never heard this phrase but it fits so well with what I’ve experienced with various leaders today. When we say leaders are just feeding the dog, in the military we mean that a leader is only taking care of business. It also means that a leader misses opportunities when their… Read More »
[March 3, 2016] Note that I’m starting a new series here at theLeaderMaker.com leadership blog that will feature “American Warriors.” Occasionally, I’ll write on others but for now Americans because I have better access to their information. That is why I begin the series with Colonel David Hackworth. My view of what a warrior is can be… Read More »
[March 2, 2016] The other day I was having a lively dinner conversation with some of my best Army buddies (nearly everyone a retired Sergeant Major). If I were to list any word that comes to mind when addressing a Sergeant Major, it would be “respect” because they certainly deserve it. The reason? Every one I’ve ever… Read More »
[February 28, 2016] For a leader to recognize their own weaknesses and to take action to overcome their own human frailties is the ultimate in responsibility. At least that is what the Roman Stoics would have us believe in – personal responsibility. Yet, there are those that argue modern leaders intentionally encourage irresponsibility by their own acts and… Read More »
[February 27, 2016] The FBI’s request of Apple, Inc. to break into a dead terrorist ‘s encrypted iPhone has drawn both criticism and praise from leaders. What it does is provide us with an opportunity to see the tenants of senior leaders making their case for and against a difficult issue; in this particular instance – security versus privacy. Who is missing… Read More »
[February 26, 2016] As I was watching the Republican debate last night several thoughts came to me that we don’t hear much talked about from political pundits. The comments I read and listened to today were more about how the current leader, Donald Trump, was attacked by two presidential hopefuls and ignored by two others. My wife… Read More »
[February 25, 2016] The electronic age is here and with all the advantages it brings, also comes distractions. On an airport television monitor yesterday I saw a commercial that went something like this … man with new girlfriend introduces her to his friends … without looking up from their smart phones, one friend says “hi” but gets her name wrong …… Read More »
[February 24, 2016] You can tell a lot about a leader by the people they surround themselves with. The best leaders I’ve ever had the honor to know always had great people working for them. People around a leader tell us a lot about that leader’s priorities, leader traits, attitude, and chances if achieving success. “Surround yourself only… Read More »