[December 16, 2015] As military truisms go, this saying has been around since before recorded history. To underestimate your enemy often led directly to your death and to a Darwinian winnowing of leaders. In the business world, a related axiom is that you should never underestimate your competition. When senior leaders underestimate the enemy, people suffer – massacres,… Read More »
[December 14, 2015] A recurrent theme here in theLeaderMaker.com blog is that those people with resilient personalities are more likely to be successful and productive members of society. There are additional benefits, like better mental and physical health, and that’s why leaders are look for ways to encourage resilience in others. However, there has been pushback on the… Read More »
[December 12, 2015] Alexander the Great, Alexander III of Macedon, will always be included in a short list of the greatest leaders of all time. Best known for the spread of his empire from Gibraltar to the Punjab, he also founded more than 70 cities, broadened trade and Greek culture,1 and spread a cultural diffusion throughout his conquests.2… Read More »
[December 11, 2015] Strong leaders have the capability to rally people to a great cause, inspire others, and lead them to achieve something no one else is able to do. Strong leaders can be controversial, divisive, and even a bit of a rebel … but they have clarity in their bold vision and are pragmatic in their goals.… Read More »
[December 10, 2015] Being a senior military officer comes with a number of challenges to the profession to include bearing responsibility for the lives and well-being of many troops who serve within the military. Yet, not unlike their civilian counterparts, military officers have difficulty admitting things that, if they did, could make them better leaders. Several friends of… Read More »
[December 9, 2015] General George S. Patton was one of America’s greatest generals and there is hardly a person alive today who has not heard of him and his exploits during World War II. But that’s only part of the story. Patton surrounded himself with some of the best minds in operational warfare and allowed them to do… Read More »
[December 8, 2015] Largely unknown to the American public is that Theodore Roosevelt – once a U.S. president, war hero, and educated man – was also a creative writer. He wrote on a variety of topics but especially on military history, politics, and how personal effort will turn to success. No book he produced was on the topic… Read More »
[December 6, 2015] Today Hanukkah begins at sundown and is celebrated starting on the 25th day of Kislev. Hanukkah means “dedication” and lasts eight successive days celebrating the rededication of the Jewish Temple following a victorious rebellion by the Jews against their oppressors. Leaders show wisdom and respect by recognizing holidays and special occasions that are meaningful and… Read More »
[December 5, 2015] Someone once said that when you see how people handle crises, you get to see what kind of people they are. I agree. I will also add that character is not only developed through hard times but it is done daily, day after day, many times over by knowing what is right and doing what… Read More »
[December 3, 2015] About once a month or so I highlight a “hero” who showed an unusually high degree of physical or moral courage. It’s rare to find those who display both and why I’m pointing out the case of Zofia Kossak (later Kossak-Szczucka). Although there are many who were killed and their names will never be known,… Read More »