[January 30, 2016] For those of us who study leadership, we know that style varies over circumstances and over time. Each individual leader has their own preferable way of leading others; one they are most comfortable with and have had past achievements using. The bombastic leader is a popular approach for a leadership style. One of my favorite… Read More »
[January 29, 2016] In the study of military conflicts, history teaches us about the impact of “disguised information” on the outcome. More commonly referred to as propaganda, a number of governments and militaries have benefited from its use. Interestingly, U.S. presidential candidates have been accused of using it in their election campaigns. This short series on propaganda is… Read More »
[January 25, 2016] My father refereed men’s basketball games at the local high school for many years. Well-liked and known for his impartiality and accurate play calls, he was in high demand. But what I remember most about the games was that whenever a player fouled or made an error, that player raised his hand up to show… Read More »
[January 23, 2016] A few years ago while visiting my mother-in-law in a local rehabilitation center, I overheard a nurse talking with an elderly man. She told him, in a room of about 20 people, that “it’s time to change your diaper.” A lady sitting next to me said quietly, that there’s no dignity in here. “When it… Read More »
[January 22, 2016] New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is most revered for his leadership in the aftermath of the terrorist attack that brought down the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. If you speak with him, he will tell you that the reason NYC recovered so quickly was that it’s important to surround yourself with… Read More »
[January 21, 2016] In Greek mythology, a young and handsome Narcissus sees his reflection in a pool of water on day while walking near a lake. He became entranced by the reflection of himself but since he could not obtain the object of his desire (his own reflection); he died at the banks of the water pool. And… Read More »
[January 20, 2016] There’s an old saying among troops in militaries across time and cultures that you never leave a soldier behind. This is part of the warrior ethos that brings them together on the battlefield and explains, in part, the band of brothers (sisters) phenomenon we know so well. Of course, this saying applies to all military… Read More »
[January 19, 2016] Annually it’s a tradition to make forecasts for the New Year and to anticipate what topics will be at the top of everyone’s list to discuss. Last year it was Islamic terrorism and illegal immigration. This year 2016 will bring a few surprises but some will be easily guessed. The biggest news for the U.S.… Read More »
[January 17, 2016] Military blunders are fascinating for their mystery and tragic for their death and destruction. The inevitable question asked in each case was whether or not each was a failure of leadership or of something else. Interestingly, militaries have studied the failures of armed forces for generations but the lessons learned are not always the right… Read More »
[January 16, 2016] While in the U.S. Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, all new second lieutenants learn about Grazing Fire and to watch out for it when in the attack against a determined enemy. It’s the type of combat technique that will quickly cut an attacking force to pieces. Leaders will experience grazing fire, symbolically anyway, whenever… Read More »