[October 15, 2021] I’ve been asked the question, are military leader traits different, several times. The answer is, of course, “no” … the characteristics of military leaders are the same as all other leaders. To some of my friends, they were a bit surprised by my answer because, like many people, they are confusing leadership style with leadership… Read More »
[October 14, 2021] One of the most challenging character traits of leaders to achieve and to develop is the ability to judge character in others. Leaders are looking for specific traits that predict successful mission completion or are obstacles to teamwork. Sadly, we often see inexperienced leaders who misjudge character, leading to unforeseen problems. “I admire men of… Read More »
[October 12, 2021] One of the unique advantages leaders have is cheerleading for their organization. Yes, being a leader also means you must be a cheerleader, someone who aggressively promotes their people, organization, and mission at the appropriate times. This is what great leaders do … and those who do not cheerlead should have their loyalty questioned. Much… Read More »
[October 10, 2021] In 1936, critics called Winston Churchill the “number one warmonger” in Britain for writing that the German Nazis would cause a war on a larger scale than ever before. Churchill had something that only the greatest of leaders possess. He had the ability of seeing the world clearly. Such insight requires talent to foretell… Read More »
[October 9, 2021] Symbolic of the U.S. military’s reserve components (the National Guard and Reserves) is the “Revolutionary Minuteman,” who forever stands as a sentinel against this nation’s enemies. Our military forces stand ready to protect the United States, ever-present and dedicated to the future. This is what we can call vigilance, perpetually being present at the helm… Read More »
[October 6, 2021] A few years ago, I sat in a room full of Army Generals and was feeling exasperated by the fact they were unwilling to push back on the no-defects philosophy of our military. A 3-star was briefing us about the newest add-on requirements coming down from the Department of Defense. I asked, partly out of… Read More »
[October 5, 2021] Yesterday, I spoke with radio talk-show host Joe Griffies about this young girl, Miss Sawyer, 14 years old. When her U.S. Marine brother was in Afghanistan, she sent him and a few of his buddies each Christmas stockings. The response was so overwhelming; she turned the idea into something big. Maybe you would say she… Read More »
[October 4, 2021] A lot can be said about the many traits we find in the best of leaders; loyalty, morals, courage, accountability, etc. Conversely, there has been much written about destructive leader characteristics, those traits that damage those inside their organization and act as impediments to excellence. But among those destructive traits, which one is the most… Read More »
[October 3, 2021] To learn from our past is one of the many virtues of great leaders. To gain essential lessons, to ‘see’ what needs seeing, to hold onto something that pushes us in the right direction, is the value of history. But we can get history wrong, and that creates a dilemma. Our history of the Vietnam… Read More »
[October 2, 2021] A Gallup poll in October 1940 found American youth as “a flabby, pacifist, yellow, cynical, discouraged, and leftist lot.” On the precipice of war, the United States was wholly unprepared militarily or socially. We were, indeed, a cowardly, leftist lot. Today, we are no different. We honor and respect the Greatest Generation; those who served… Read More »