[July 30, 2018] At a commissioning ceremony, where a dozen army Second Lieutenants took the oath of office, the commandant of the ROTC program said something that stuck with me my entire life. “For those of you who swear to become an officer, leadership is a life choice.”1 What he meant at the time and all those around… Read More »
[July 29, 2018] There’s an old stereotype that soldiers in the military are a bunch of knuckle-dragging dimwits who don’t have a creative thought or significant accomplishment in their pathetic lives.1 Contrary to that view, however, is a growing trend among most Western-nation military leaders to study the Greek classics. Several of my neighbors at a recent get… Read More »
[July 28, 2018] Do you want to be a leader? If you answer this question like you should, the answer will be “yes” because no other answer is acceptable. To be a leader you must learn a number of important skills. One of them is to never punish loyal followers for being honest. “Leaders who don’t listen will… Read More »
[July 27, 2018] It has been a long-running theme here on my leadership blog that a leader’s character can only be developed through hard times. But I’m going out on a limb today and now arguing that good character can only be developed through suffering. That’s right, only by suffering can the best in us truly come out.… Read More »
[July 26, 2018] … and 90 percent perspiration. This famous quote is by Thomas Edison, a man often described as America’s “greatest inventor.”1 Great leaders inspire! They also understand that providing inspiration is only part of the formula and that working to see that inspiration achieves real results is where the hard work really happens. “Our chief want… Read More »
[July 25, 2018] One of the advantages of long-term and successful experience as a senior leader is the acquired ability to identify and promote talented leaders. It becomes a “calling” to find, support, and advance those junior leaders who show high potential as future leaders. “Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them.”… Read More »
[July 23, 2018] In our world there has been a trend – some say it’s a fad – to denigrate anything having to do with religion. That trend is foolish and here is one reason why. Simply put, the Jesuit religious value system brings out the very best in people. A Jesuit education is an integral part of… Read More »
[July 20, 2018] If there is one lesson I personally learned the hard way as a leader, it’s that words matter. There are words that inspire and can make a leader look both gracious and intelligent. Words matter, even a few.1 It was over a decade ago in 2007 when I was standing inside Camp War Eagle; a… Read More »
[July 19, 2018] It is rare for the average person to have a mentor. It is even rarer to have a mentor who is smart enough to provide us with quality advice and guidance. I was privileged on both counts and am lucky enough to recall some of his best words to live by. It was my understanding… Read More »
[July 18, 2018] If you are a leader in any capacity whatsoever, you represent to outsiders, others in your employment, family, religion, nationality, or in any other grouping imaginable. When outsiders see you and listen to what you have to say, you are an ambassador to the groups to which you are affiliated. While it may not be… Read More »