[June 26, 2019] I was traveling out in the Western U.S. this past week. In one of the many legs of my trip, I sat beside a Texas High School principal on an American Airlines flight. We talked about college and the challenges of teaching and eventually, I asked her what message she would share with us. She… Read More »
[June 25, 2019] In 2007, I had the pleasure to meet comedian Robin Williams in Al Faw Palace, Baghdad, Iraq. He and I had a warm, captivating conversation. We talked about our families, where we came from, and the interesting people we’ve met. He told me that his life’s mission was to spend more time with people and… Read More »
[June 24, 2019] Leaders make mistakes; it goes with the leadership territory. This means an apology should be forthcoming to show you recognize the error, learned from it, and are moving on. There are also times when not to apologize. Apologizing when you’re wrong shows humility and that you have the ability to learn and change for the… Read More »
[June 22, 2019] On a number of occasions here at www.theleadermaker.com, I’ve written about how the leadership I see in young boys is not that different from adult leadership. Next month, I will write more about this. I will be volunteering at a Boy Scout camp and send updates. I hope readers find my observations interesting and worthy… Read More »
[June 21, 2019] It had been a long day. The temperature was hovering around 120 degrees since about 10 am and the smell of garbage and filth permeated the air. As the afternoon sun bore down on our convoy, driving the temperatures up in our armored vehicles, we could see the glint of binoculars from the guard tower.… Read More »
[June 20, 2019] It is often said that the greatest leaders in the world are the ones that want you to succeed. That is true, of course. But it is also true that any leader who is jealous of or fears your success is one that can never be trusted. “The greatest gift of leadership is a boss… Read More »
[June 19, 2019] My son played on the local High School football team and found that the team played with a style that earned them a nickname; the scrappers. American High School football is a favorite of mine, and it was great to see so many games. I loved the fact that the small-town team played with their… Read More »
[June 18, 2019] It seems like yesterday that I joined the U.S. Army. That was 45 years ago, and my thinking hasn’t changed much since then. My values remain largely unchanged, and my commitment remains rock-solid. What has changed, however, was my devotion to the discipline necessary to succeed and my understanding that only through discipline can we… Read More »
[June 17, 2019] “Find a buddy. You’ve got 10 seconds,” the Drill Sergeant screamed at us as we arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana for boot camp. Private Thibaut Lemieux, a Cajun from southern Louisiana, stood next to me and we instantly became part of the Army’s mandated buddy system. Thibaut (pronounced t-bow) and I were inseparable throughout the… Read More »
[June 16, 2019] If you’re Pilipino, you probably know about the Battle of Bud Bagsak (part of the Moro Rebellion, June 1913). Almost no one else has heard of the battle; certainly not in U.S. military circles. This final battle was the end of the resistance in the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). It was weird that I had not… Read More »