[April 11, 2018] You and I have probably had a similar experience with a boss that made us madder-n-hell. Like so many folks, I had a boss that had few leadership skills yet held the title of “Commander.” To those who worked for him, he was a leader in name only. I personally don’t hold the expectation that… Read More »
[April 10, 2018] If there is one stereotype of military folks, it is that they are closed-minded; in other words, slow to adopt new ideas, tactics, and equipment. One need only look to World War I as a not-so-subtle reminder that this is probably true. On the other hand, I’ve found that most military professionals today are very… Read More »
[April 9, 2018] A legendary story about gentlemanly behavior comes from Elizabethan times when Sir Walter Raleigh laid down his cloak before the Queen so she would not get her feet wet.1 But times are changing and there are some folks who now ask whether gentlemen are a dying breed. Nevertheless, for a leader, the answer is to… Read More »
[April 8, 2018] Is that a sexist comment, or what? Perhaps, but I’ll write about it anyway because there is some truth to it and because it’s something leaders should keep in the back of their minds. My grandmother was especially fond of men in uniform and although she never saw me in mine, she was a big… Read More »
[March 7, 2015] Winston Churchill once said that an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. Churchill, of course, is the man who helped save England during World War II and a man we should review as someone who knew a lot about war and human psychology. The man had nerve. Great… Read More »
[April 6, 2018] A close friend of mine was quickly headed for leader burnout. It was 2007 in Iraq; Engineers were pushing hard to prepare for the troop “surge” ordered by President Bush and things were not going well. Recently promoted to the rank of Colonel, he had been working long hours without any time off and stress… Read More »
[April 5, 2018] Anyone who has ever had a tough boss knows the value of a hard-hitting taskmaster that is committed to expanding your talents. Tough bosses can recognize talent before others do but they can also push you to do things you never thought possible. There may not have been a tougher boss than ballet choreographer Jerome… Read More »
[April 4, 2018] While in college my advisor recommended I take a class in U.S. government history. The course was considered one of the most demanding courses at the university. It provided the few of us allowed taking it the opportunity to learn the practical side of government strategy development. Like my classmates, I worked like a dog… Read More »
[April 3, 2018] There’s an old Mexican proverb that goes something like this, He who walks with wolves, learns to howl.1 This is a variation on advice that is found in since ancient times in the writings of ancient philosophers and from the Bible. It means that when we associate ourselves with good and wise people, we will… Read More »
[April 2, 2018] As a new Second Lieutenant, I was originally a slob; my clothes were everywhere, my refrigerator had expired food in it, and my desk at work was disorganized. One day I had a grizzled, old sergeant comes into my office to give me a piece of constructive advice. Get organized, he said, and while you’re… Read More »