[December 18, 2019] There are a small number of social institutions in America that are a success story. Higher education and the U.S. military dominate the upper rungs of the prestige ladder. Both employ large numbers of people across an array of communities. Within these institutions, we see the pursuit of prestige by many of the leaders that… Read More »
[December 17, 2019] Recent evidence from the War in Afghanistan points to a deliberate, concerted effort by senior leaders in the U.S. Government to lie about the war’s progress. In a recent new article titled “At War with the Truth” by Craig Whitlock,1 a Washington Post reporter, wrote that “U.S. officials constantly said they were making progress. They… Read More »
[December 16, 2019] There’s an old saying in the military that logistics is the ball and chain of armored warfare. We’ve all been there. Regardless of who we are, what responsibilities we bear, what we desire and need, there never seems to be enough “stuff” to do our jobs. Every other month, I look forward to receiving my… Read More »
[December 15, 2019] An old Vietnam War veteran was one of my mentors when I was an Infantry Company Commander. He was also a great coach. His favorite topic was teaching his officers how leaders listen. I was fortunate to have him as a member of my unit. “Listen to many, speak to a few.” – William Shakespeare,… Read More »
[December 13, 2019] The purpose of a coach is to provide a vision, to cheer lead, to guide, to push, and to teach us what is essential. A coach’s job is to motivate people beyond the ordinary and to make them better. For a leader, it is of the utmost importance that we also coach others to be… Read More »
[December 12, 2019] A few years ago, I wrote a couple of articles on some of the “good” and “bad” things I learned while in the military.1,2 Likewise, there are important things that helped me be successful during my U.S. Army career that I didn’t learn in the military. My grandmother would be proud since she helped a… Read More »
[December 11, 2019] Yesterday I published an article answering the question, Why do soldiers fight? See it at this link (here). It’s an old question but one that helps us peer into the motivations of the men who see combat up-close and personal. Today, I’ll be providing some interesting and perhaps surprising information on other motivations. “I hold… Read More »
[December 10, 2019] Why do soldiers fight? This age-old question is as valid yesterday as it is today. When I was young, I had the honor of being around recently-returning Korean War veterans. I would listen a great deal and hear them tell the tales of why they fought. This subject is in two parts. The first, today,… Read More »
[December 9, 2019] I’ve had the personal good fortune to speak with military veterans who were in the most desperate, destructive battles of the 20th Century.1 I learned a few things from them that I will pass along today. The most important lesson they gave me was – do those things you fear. Such advice seems counterproductive. Why… Read More »
[December 8, 2019] One dominant theme in the study of leadership is to prove oneself worthy of holding the mantle of responsibility. A successful leader is one who has built a reputation for accountability, trustworthiness, and sound judgment.1 How one does this is subject to debate. But when a leader is tested in the crucible of fire, there… Read More »