[February 2, 2018] Good leaders have many friends. Great leaders have true friends. Some say that the best way to succeed in one’s profession is to have a wide network of folks who are helpful. Such a network can be tapped for information, advice, and encouragement. Yet, what the network can rarely provide, something only true friends can,… Read More »
[February 1, 2018] A few years ago as an Army Brigade Commander, I was called upon to investigate another senior officer who had purportedly stolen from a military warehouse. Despite my experience in this type of investigation, it lasted months longer than it should have because witnesses were placing their loyalty over morality. Doing this type of investigation… Read More »
[January 31, 2018] There are many advantages modern industrial societies provide; some of which have been outlined here in theLeaderMaker.com. There are also downsides. One downside for many of us is that we are very busy people. Leaders are especially busy at work and home and that can cause them to lose sight of the big picture. The… Read More »
[January 30, 2018] A number of years ago I had the opportunity to witness new Army recruits training at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Drill Sergeants were yelling at the recruits for them to get into formation and it was hard not to notice the look of fear on their faces. Motivation was being provided by the U.S. Army… Read More »
[January 29, 2018] Learning how to be a better, more informed leader is often gained through the intense study of the history of significant events. In the U.S. Army, for example, junior officers study the Mỹ Lai Massacre in Vietnam as the epitome of failed military leadership and how shame was brought upon the United States because of… Read More »
[January 28, 2018] The recent news of a growing epidemic of opioid drug use in America is unsurprising as its use has now spread among the rich and famous; those with influence and power. I bring up the war on drugs because it provides us with an opportunity to look at the failure of leadership at the highest… Read More »
[January 27, 2018] It has been said that the best leaders walk a fine line between a strong belief in their own abilities and their arrogance. Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke Jr. is one of those men to be admired for his moral courage, strength of conviction, and brashness to stand up to intimidation. A few years ago,… Read More »
[January 26, 2018] There is an interesting commercial on television that is my personal favorite regarding office hours. The message it sends is that there are jobs that offer no excuses for not doing your work. A woman knocks on a door, enters, and says she needs to take a sick day. The camera then pans to a… Read More »
[January 25, 2018] Patrick Lencioni, in his groundbreaking work on leadership, has written about the dysfunction of teams. His study of leaders and their weaknesses has opened the eyes of many folks who want to know more about how leaders recognize and overcome personal weaknesses. “Whether we’re talking about leadership, teamwork, or client service, there is no more… Read More »
[January 24, 2018] Lessons on leadership can be found in the darndest places and teenagers are quick to learn them under the right circumstances. One of my many small jobs as a young boy was picking up cow manure from my neighbor’s farm and moving it to his wife’s garden. Like so many odd jobs that boys and… Read More »