[September 15, 2019] In the past, I’ve written about the importance of caring for your people (e.g., articles here and here). What this means is that a great leader can reach the souls of others and doing so matters more than any technological advancement, money, or strategy. Win their hearts and you will win the battle. “As an… Read More »
[September 13, 2019] In the hottest part of the Summer of 1983, over 200 U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenants were on a 25-mile forced-march in the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Fort Benning, Georgia. At the 19th mile point, I’d never been so exhausted in my life, when our Battalion Commander drove up beside us in his jeep to say,… Read More »
[September 12, 2019] The fastest and most effective way to progress as a leader is to be in a crucible under fire and have your performance critiqued. Those who lead men and women in our military regularly review their team’s ability to accomplish a mission. During a review, the leader will receive feedback in its brutally honest form… Read More »
[September 10, 2019] Karl Marx knew what he was talking about when he said, “There is a specter haunting Europe, the specter of Communism.” Fortunately for European leaders, they discovered the Ukrainian Holodomor. During the 1932-33 Holodomor, 7-10 million Ukrainians died of starvation in a catastrophe nearly unprecedented in the history of humankind. Surpassed only by the Great… Read More »
[September 9, 2019] We were in the back of a U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane, flying between Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait and Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. Passengers were a mix of civilians and various branches of the U.S. military. It was the first time I ever heard the phrase, Admiral of the Narrow Seas. In… Read More »
[September 6, 2019] “United we stand, divided we fall” is a common phrase meaning without each other we are condemned to fail. The consequence of the idea is strong; going back to before recorded human history and used in some form across all cultures and across all time. Based on this idea, formal relationships are created during peacetime… Read More »
[September 5, 2019] For those following the U.S. presidential campaigning, you probably overlooked some of those doing poorly in popularity polls. I’m looking at them because they tell us something of value. What they are doing says what NOT to do as a leader. Take, for example, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio. I’ll be using his… Read More »
[September 4, 2019] Leadership is not easy; it means taking on complex, ambiguous, and difficult problems. These are closely tied to our deepest values and we are limited by cultural mores and social responsibilities. Solutions can be slow and are often fraught with unintended consequences. When the government gets involved, it can bring enormous resources to bear; a… Read More »
[September 1, 2019] “Does not respond well to authority.” This was written in my friend Wilson’ first Officer Evaluation Report after one-year on the job as an Army Second Lieutenant. He was mad as hell about the comment but knew, deep down in his psyche, that it was true. His mom and dad would agree. He always had… Read More »
[August 31, 2019] In 2003, during the initial invasion of Iraq, the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines were often the tip of the spear of American and coalition attacks. They fought with distinction and were later deployed several more times to Iraq. Their motto is “Whatever it Takes.” One of the best habits a leader can have is to… Read More »