[April 11, 2022] Growing up, we learned some simple ways of showing respect. Some were basic, like saying “please” and “thank you.” Others took a little longer to learn, such as good table manners, listening properly to what others have to say, keeping your promises, offering to assist others, and apologizing when we are wrong. “You can easily… Read More »
[April 10, 2022] Ask someone to do you a favor so that you can return it. You cannot change the world, but you can make a significant impact. This cannot be done alone, without people standing with you. Asking someone for a favor is the beginning of building trust. Nurture this trust by building a network of friends… Read More »
[April 9, 2022] Realize that nobody owes you nuttin’. Not only does no one owe you anything, you owe the world everything. Once you accept this truth, you will be forever free to pursue your future as you wish. It’s never too late to start. Because I grew up under the watchful eye of my maternal grandmother, we… Read More »
[April 6, 2022] Eight years ago, just before I retired, I wrote that “Russia will not intervene in Ukraine.” That was according to the U.S. State Department (as noted in Time Magazine) and President Obama. Today, we see the folly of that prediction/headline. I wrote about violence in the streets two days before this article and said that… Read More »
[April 5, 2022] The first article I wrote for my blog addressed the issue of leaders living in a fishbowl.1 By that, I meant that leaders at all levels who work in high visibility, highly competitive organizations are best served if their public and private life are open for everyone to see. This is a controversial view. At… Read More »
[April 4, 2022] Credible allegations of Russian troops committing war crimes in Ukraine are now discussed as a topic in senior political circles. War crimes, especially against innocent civilians, are a serious charge and should not be ignored. Are the accusations true? What we know is that we don’t know. The West’s information about the Russia-Ukraine War comes… Read More »
[April 3, 2022] Yesterday, I had the pleasure to attend an open house on a new equine Therapeutic Riding Center in a small town near where I live. The event was advertised for all who wished to be part of an effort to expand horse riding for those who may need that extra level of care. I was… Read More »
[April 2, 2022] “Don’t take yourself so seriously, Satterfield.” My Platoon Sergeant was conducting my first performance review as a new NCO and gave me some much-needed advice. I wanted to do a good job as his team leader; being new, maybe I was too intense. His guidance to me was to relax and use humor to make… Read More »
[April 1, 2022] Running any large, complex organization is mind-bogglingly difficult. Running the American government, one of the world’s largest, is beyond the scope of human understanding. One thing that makes it easier is sticking with the approved mission and keeping priorities in focus. Unfortunately, the U.S. State Department is unfocused, unserious, and is failing at its mission.… Read More »
[March 31, 2022] The idea that our family can positively impact the military is a long-held view by senior military leaders. Why that is so is something I will explore. I’m often asked about my own views on the family and how family life affects the quality and success of military service members. “The true soldier fights not… Read More »