[December 5, 2024] A crucial skill for any leader to possess is the ability to judge the character of others. Leaders are looking for specific traits that predict successful mission completion or are obstacles to teamwork. Sadly, we often see inexperienced leaders who misjudge character, leading to unforeseen problems.
I wrote these words in January 2021 after looking into the character of our president Joe Biden. I had predicted from the outset that he lacked what it took to be successful in this most difficult and complex position, leading the free world. I wrote, “Joe Biden does not have the character to be successful as President of the United States.” My concluding sentence was not an act of political partisanship, but based on simple observation of him during the campaign.
As a leader, I discovered early in my military career that nearly all senior leaders are first-rate judges of character. Their capability was gained through hard-hitting experiences because, unsurprisingly, there is no other way to develop it. So crucial is this ability in leaders that those who cannot create the social skills necessary to distinguish good and bad character are often not advanced in their careers.
It is interesting that despite the importance of the talent to judge character, there are no U.S. military training programs dedicated to it. I think the reason may be due to its elusiveness. Yet, we frequently discuss among ourselves the concept of acquiring the suitable characteristics to succeed. This disconnect in training versus character development is striking. Although several civilian-based courses address it, I’m unaware of their effectiveness.1
Some people claim that the skill to make a sound judgment on the traits of others is inborn and is not learned. For example, they cite studies that show that dogs are good judges of character in people. I’m not sure if this is wishful thinking on their part. I consider myself an excellent judge of character. I worked hard to develop it, yet my wife is far superior to me and has less experience with people. Perhaps there is something to the idea that it’s innate.
Regardless of how we gain the ability to judge character, it is essential to note that those who cannot do so would be best served if they had someone close to them who could help. I admire those with this skill because they have always been the best people to work with and have as good friends.
I was right about Joe Biden. And while I’ve written a number of articles, they all have a single theme. Joe Biden is not a good man in any sense of the term. His pardoning of his criminal son, Hunter, for crimes committed and for any unnamed crimes over a ten year period is Joe’s parting shot at the American people that he lied to repeatedly, tricked us, and failed to do what he promised us. That is a betrayal for which he will never be forgiven.
I wish nothing but good health for Joe, that he remains in the public eye for many decades, and that he continues to “lead” the Democrat Party. In doing so, he will be a constant reminder what a terrible, evil, incompetent, nasty leader looks like. Sometimes we just need reminding that we should judge the character of others, and act on it.
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- A cursory review on the internet reveals many civilian companies that claim they can show us how to make good judgments in others. Furthermore, one can find a number of studies in psychology that supports the idea that the skill is learned and not innate.
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Please read my books:
We all need to learn this most valuable skill. If not, we will be a sucker all our lives and that is no way to live.
Should be required training program on the basics.. At a minimum to show potential future leaders thosee skills that are most crucial to team/ unit success. But, I predict the US military will not implement any kind of program like this because “judgment” is associated with racism, sex is, etc. despite being useful the US military today would rather be woke and leaders show their perceived moral superiority than actually teach something useful that all their troops could use in the military and after they leave the military.
Chide,you’re right. Wokeism hurts and they deny doing anything about it. Ideology for them is their life.
That’s why it’s called an ideology. It is an oversimplification of the world and all explanations of any event has to be stretched to fit the ideology, otherwise it proves their ideology wrong.
🇺🇸 Excellent. Gen. Doug Satterfield is a true American. 🇺🇸
OUCH, Gen. Satterfield gives us his two-cents worth here:
“ I was right about Joe Biden. And while I’ve written a number of articles, they all have a single theme. Joe Biden is not a good man in any sense of the term. His pardoning of his criminal son, Hunter, for crimes committed and for any unnamed crimes over a ten year period is Joe’s parting shot at the American people that he lied to repeatedly, tricked us, and failed to do what he promised us. That is a betrayal for which he will never be forgiven.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield is at it again, naming names and calling a spade a spade. This is what I like about his website, plus we get to write what we want in the leadership forum.
Speaking of Old Slow Joe, he is a PINO (President In Name Only).
Hi Eyecat, I do think you may be giving Joe Biden too much credit. He has made decisions and if didn’t make them which is likely the case, he is still personally responsible for each, as his signature is affixed to each one. It is too bad that America has fallen so far, so fast because of both the total incompetence of Biden but also becaus e so many people in the White House staffers, the media, Democrats, leftist donors, and Hollywood celebrities have covered up for him. Remember that they told us he was sharp as a tack? Well, I guess they got tha t wrong.
Sir, thank you. I’m a frequent reader biput don’t write often enough but this article certainly got my attention 👀
Put well, sir. If you are a leader or ANYBODY, you need to know how to rightly judge.
Sir, you nailed it. Joe Biden was not then, nor is now a good leader. He is not “good” because, despite claiming that he is a Catholic, he pushes for the radical position of anortion up to to moment of natural birth. He is also not good because he allowed a radical element of his own Democrat Party to take over him and allowed himself to drift into a racist leftist. Joe Biden also allowed unfettered access to our borders which then allowed cartels to traffic women and children, leading to their deaths. And let us not forget about the drug increase too coming across our borders. Simply put, Joe Biden is an evil man who has done great damage to hundreds of thousands and he will pay one day when. He stands before God.
Mr. Savage, yes indeed, Gen. Satterfield is all over it with this article. I think being able to rightly judge others is a simple survival skill. Some folks don’t have that skill and Joe Biden – and as we found out Kamala Harris doesn’t either. I’m so happy that Kamala lost the election in a landslide. Now the radical progressives are having a conniption fit.
Wow, well said. Thanks guys!!!!! 👍
It is important to know how to recognize evil when you see it.
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Judgment comes in many forms, Pastor Jim 🙏, as we know. It would be worthwhile for Gen. Satterfield to discuss those forms of judgment. The starting place is the Bible.