[August 25, 2020] A regular theme found in my leadership website is the value of reading, especially the reading of history. Reading is vital for the development of the mind and helping leaders improve their performance. However, what is not generally recognized is that readers must also evaluate each reading as to the validity of the research and… Read More »
[August 24, 2020] Rummaging around with some old books of mine (when I first read about leadership), I kept seeing a common theme. I get time to do that now; more reading, looking out the window at on green trees and blue skies and thinking. What I see is that old leadership principles never seem to die; they… Read More »
[August 23, 2020] Here in the United States, we are gearing up for the 2020 Presidential election, which occurs on November 3rd. With that in mind, I will be writing several leadership profiles, and today I begin with past Secretary of State John Kerry. I chose Kerry because his traits reflect the traits of those now running for… Read More »
[August 22, 2020] The importance of proper paperwork cannot be overlooked. Many years ago, as a staff officer, I wondered why the promotion rates for Administrative Army officers exceeded the rate of Infantry officers. Infantry was the place of leaders, more likely to experience combat and to demonstrate one’s bonafides in the U.S. Army. Why then did Admin… Read More »
[August 21, 2020] In 1983, I moved my family to a small duplex in State College, Pennsylvania. We were to live on Beaver Street, about a mile from Pennsylvania State University, for the next six years. Next door was a gentleman named Mr. Jed Neidigh, who had been a doughboy during World War I. His advice to me… Read More »
[August 20, 2020] Twice, I’ve written about the importance of my 1983 Army Officer’s Guide and how it helped me on my journey of military service (see links here and here). First, a disclaimer. I don’t recall ever reading it once I made Colonel. That was a mistake because it could have helped me in those senior leadership… Read More »
By guest blogger Sadako Red [see disclaimer] [August 19, 2020] Anytime we step out boldly to make changes, we take a chance that we might fail. But the only way to get better is to try. I’m no politician; don’t want to be now nor ever. The City of Baltimore – you know the one that I can… Read More »
[August 18, 2020] One of the most iconic battles of the U.S. Civil War occurred in August of 1864 at the Battle of Mobile Bay. It may have been the most dramatic moment of the naval war, comparable to Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg. It was during the battle that Union Admiral David Farragut commanded his ships to attack… Read More »
[August 17, 2020] Well, it’s been a few months since my last spindle post. Still, so many issues have developed regarding leadership (the lack of it, mostly) that several readers asked for my comments on several current issues facing our society. Regular readers will recognize my interests in showing how good leadership is often the solution to real… Read More »
[August 16, 2020] This article is the second in a new mini-series on leadership lessons from famous Revolutionary War heroes. Today, I’m focusing on Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). Franklin was one of a small group of American leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, leading the war for independence from Great Britain and building a new form of government. We… Read More »