[December 26, 2021] I’m often asked what is more difficult … to stand for what I believe in and do the right thing (moral courage) or to stand against a deadly enemy on the battlefield and fight (physical courage). I have found moral courage to be far more difficult. Leadership is often tested and, I believe we all… Read More »
[December 17, 2021] And I still do. I continue to encourage and promote the most competent people I know. I “go to bat” for those who show promise, those that have the right attitude, motivation, willingness to work hard, and smarts to get the job done. I did this as an Officer in the U.S. Army, and I… Read More »
[December 16, 2021] There’s a saying in the designer world that “you can’t fake fashion.” They are referring to the quality of design, materials, and construction of clothing and accompanying accessories. The same is true of being a leader. You can’t fake it. There is no denying that some people can be fooled when distinguishing good leaders from… Read More »
[December 15, 2021] August 1974 was hot and humid in the Deep South. I know because I was in U.S. Army Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA. The state of Louisiana is known for its heat, humidity, dangerous snakes, pine trees, cotton, and great country folks. I learned a lot, much about myself and the Army. There were… Read More »
[December 3, 2021] FUBAR? Can you learn anything from today’s military? As the American people rapidly lose confidence in our military, America’s senior-most Generals and Admirals are doubling down on policies that have nothing to do with warfighting. We Americans “see” what’s happening, and we don’t like it. Is it even worth it for young people to join… Read More »
[December 2, 2021] During the U.S. Civil War, the early years were not going well for the Union under President Abraham Lincoln. Yet, his undertaking was designed to preserve the Union, and he strove to persuade, influence, incentivize, and communicate hope and resolve. What strategic lesson learned can we get from Lincoln’s actions? While most of us with… Read More »
[December 1, 2021] By the end of 2006, I had spent more than a year and a half in Iraq working with their citizens. I thought I knew them but, like other Americans, I did not. Understanding other cultures takes time, patience, and a high degree of empathy, smarts, and devotion. By that time, I figured out we… Read More »
[November 30, 2021] I was sitting on a chair overlooking an Army-level tabletop exercise conducted in South Korea. The array of U.S. and Republic of Korea military forces were across the Korean peninsula and seas. Impressive! But could we understand what the commander wanted? Would clear communication work this time? What the symbology and geography told me was… Read More »
[November 29, 2021] No one likes a fraud; a person who pretends to be someone or something they are not. Perhaps this dislike is innate to humans, or maybe learned, but being a fraud means breaking the most critical element of humanness; trust. A Canadian medical researcher who rose to become the nation’s top voice on indigenous health… Read More »
[November 28, 2021] Near where I live, a few days ago, I visited a “horse farm” called Chestnut Run Farm. A small group of motivated local folks was there helping Veterans heal mentally. They started this non-profit to make a difference. I have discovered that there are good leaders everywhere, sometimes you have to find them; in this… Read More »