[October 6, 2015] Who hasn’t thought of how they would act when their life is in danger or someone else’s life, like a family member, is in danger? Fear is a natural reaction to danger. Would we be frozen incapable of acting from fear? Would we run away? Writings on how to be brave are uncommon but often… Read More »
[October 5, 2015] Russian leadership decided to increase their support for their ally Syria and President Bashar al-Assad and in doing so actively used their military in a more direct role. While few know the strategy of Russia, it’s sensible for them to keep it undisclosed, what is known is that their role is no longer to stand… Read More »
[October 4, 2015] Just 58 years ago today in 1957 the world entered the Space Age with the launch of the USSR satellite Sputnik 1. But the beginning of humankind’s curiosity about space dates back before recorded history; this being where any story of the new frontier of space begins. From Copernicus to von Braun, science led the… Read More »
[October 3, 2015] Since time immemorial there has been one effective act by leaders that has been so useful that its employment is considered an indispensable skill. The art of delivering a formal address in public is an ability considered a must have in the personal collection of the most successful leaders. It’s so important today that each… Read More »
[October 1, 2015] One of the lessons leaders quickly learn in the military is that leaders eat last. In truth this means that leaders forgo their personal interests to support the team. To say that leaders eat last is also symbolic of the notion that leaders accept their responsibility to assist people – who are part of their… Read More »
[September 29, 2015] On this date in 1982, twelve-year old Mary Kellerman died after taking a capsule of Tylenol pain medicine laced with cyanide. It’s now been 33 years since her death and the poisoning murders of six others remain unsolved. But some good came from the murders in that it prompted improved packaging of over the counter… Read More »
[September 27, 2015] Whenever I think of the maxim that real leaders don’t panic, I’m drawn to the actions of the men of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment at the 1965 Battle of la Drang, Vietnam. Documented in the movie, We Were Soldiers Once … And Young, Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore and his men fought off a much… Read More »
[September 26, 2015] After the capture of the capital city of Baghdad Iraq in early 2004, coalition engineers were building confinement facilities for the thousands of prisoners. One of the engineers was U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Paul Smith. On April 4th his men were ambushed by a large Iraqi Republican Guard force. Smith was wounded early but… Read More »
[September 25, 2015] George, a good friend of mine from our past army days, used to tell me often that, “I never drink good coffee because I might like it and then have to pay for it.” You see, in U.S. Army dining facilities and in our offices, coffee is most often found hot and free. Later, after… Read More »
[September 24, 2015] Truly great leaders are rare and they are rare for a very good reason; they thrive on ambiguity while everyone else is halted by it. The very best people that I’ve ever known are motivated, inspired, and capable of decisive action despite ambiguity and the uncertain environment that is fostered in it. Moreover, it is… Read More »