[March 26, 2022] Much of what we do as leaders involve the mundane, necessary affairs to accomplish important goals. Leadership means having an end-game, whether by policy, edict, or influence. That is why a leader’s vision is crucial.
The very best leaders are clear about what they want to accomplish and layout the steps to get there, the resources required, and the strategy they plan to employ. If a leader is unable to specify their end-game, then an immediate problem emerges. No clearly articulated end-game means we cannot work toward it because we don’t know what it is.
A current example is the Russia-Ukraine War and how America stands on it. The first question that comes to my mind is, what exactly is America’s end-game with the war? Those schooled in foreign policy will immediately recognize the significance of knowing what the U.S. expects to gain or risks losing. What is it? We don’t know.
“The single most important thing is for us to stay unified, and the world continue to focus on what a brute this guy is and all the innocent people’s lives that are being lost and ruined, and what’s going on … that’s the important thing.” – U.S. President Joe Biden, at the NATO Conference, March 25, 20221
If I read this correctly (and I listened to him say it in real-time), the end-game is to “focus on what a brute this guy [Putin] is.” I’ll go out on a limb and say that this is no end-game; it’s a means to an end, not an end in itself.
If Biden wanted to articulate an end-game, it should be very specific. Yet, he has to say what that end is. Does it mean a ceasefire? A Ukrainian victory? An end to Putin’s dictatorship? A divided Ukraine? NATO membership for Ukraine?
Too many questions that even the most foreign policy novice can see we are going nowhere with this lack of specificity. Saying that the most important thing for us is to stay unified is essential, but it’s not what we are after. And, what we are after remains unknown.
Failure to provide a clear vision for the war is a spectacular failure that will guarantee more deaths and destruction when an opportunity is missed.
Is it Biden’s job to give the Ukrainians the means to help their democracy survive and defeat a brute? I hope so, but no one is saying so.
Leadership means having an end-game. We don’t have one.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
For President Biden the only end game is money for his family. Screw the American people. That’s his motto.
I never thought of it that way, Gen. Satterfield. Great questions by both you and Kenny. What is the end-state? Is it surrender of Russian forces? Or Ukraine forces? Or something in between. I can tell you that classic warfare is looking less effective today.
With an idiot In the WH, no surprise expect what comes out of Joe “dementia” Biden’s mouth. Them his cronies contradict him. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Another spot-on article that hits a major point in leadership that the world elites are missing. You can’t prop up stupidity in your leaders. The best have to rise to the top. We no longer want that. The penalty is very bad.
Food shortages and famine.
War
Unchecked illegal immigration
Wild economic inflation.
Rising crime.
The list goes on and on. What are we doing about it? Talking about letting transgender people in the Army. Duh! How stupid. Focus on your job.
Pow!
Don’t forget that we are teaching kids to hate each other based on race. We are segregating kids by race. We are making them wear masks all day (child abuse). We are dividing people and pitting them against one another. If I were a conspiracy person I’d say Marxism has taken over.
Too late, neo-Marxism is here.
I’m glad that some parents are waking up and protecting their children.
Crafty bast..ds. They are indoctrinating the very young. It’s all about control.
Divide and conquer.
Right, that is the only good thing to come out of stay at home teaching. Parents got to SEE the garbage being taught and they are now pushing back! ✔
Leadership means having an end-game. We don’t have one.
OUCH !!!!!!!!
I’m no fan of Joe Biden and his ilk. But it is not because he is stupid or can’t talk a complete sentence or even read his teleprompter (which is all you see him do publically). The real problem is that he is EVIL. Whenever you see him promote abortion on demand, or talk about his own policies causing food shortages (yep, he did), then we are in deep do do.
Great comment Nick. BTW, good to see you back in these leadership forums by Gen. Satterfield.
Gotta have vision. What that means is you know the end-game and are willing to tell us what it is and how to get there. When Pres Biden – or any leader – speaks, that point should be hammered home repeatedly and clearly. What we get is a word salad.
Where are we going as a nation? Biden has no answer. If you are not concerned about that, you are a fool.
Got that right. And, any one with leadership ability whatsoever can see thru the charade. If you cannot, well, what can I say to a blind and deaf guy who wonders aimlessly thru life? 😊
See the emperor so proud of his new clothes. /snark
Excellent article. Vision matters. Being clear with your words matter a great deal. That is something that Biden and Harris do not have. They figure the media will make them heroes and appear smart because they just use a bunch of scrambled words.
Great questions:
Does it mean a ceasefire?
A Ukrainian victory?
An end to Putin’s dictatorship?
A divided Ukraine?
NATO membership for Ukraine?
And we have a befuddled, hair-sniffing weirdo as president. How disgusting this evil man is for the world. Can’t they see the emperor has no clothes on?
From the NY Post, “Joe Biden is whispery, weird and befuddled. True, both President George W. Bush and President Trump were prone to getting distracted mid-sentence. Their transcripts don’t read so well either. The difference is that the media are determined to cover for Biden’s gaffe-a-minute weirdness. Scramble the jets to unscramble the sayings of Grandpa Joe!”
Weirdo is an understatment. The problem is that he is dangerous.
Basic questions are NOT being answered. And the news media (I exaggerate here) covers for him. What’s up with that?
Yep, you got that right Audrey. Good to have this leadership website that helps us with the building blocks of leadership. Most of what I read here are basic leader guides and norms. What I’d like to see is a shift of Gen. Satterfield to focus nearly exclusively on junior leadership. I think that is what most of us like.
CHECKMATE … the end game against your enemies. Wonderful pix!
— and you thought Gen. Satterfield has no humor. Yuk Yuk Yuk —-
Hey folks, don’t forget to purchase Gen. Satterfield’s new book. Well, it’s not so new any more but if you don’t buy it, you will be missing out. Go to this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Thanks again, Janna for promoting my book.
It’s a great read.