[July 31, 2018] “Mission first, people always,” is more than just a saying in the U.S. military; it’s a philosophy. The fact that leadership is difficult even in the best of times means that we expect the mission to be accomplished and done efficiently and effectively by people. In this idea, mission first, people always … one of… Read More »
[July 30, 2018] At a commissioning ceremony, where a dozen army Second Lieutenants took the oath of office, the commandant of the ROTC program said something that stuck with me my entire life. “For those of you who swear to become an officer, leadership is a life choice.”1 What he meant at the time and all those around… Read More »
[July 29, 2018] There’s an old stereotype that soldiers in the military are a bunch of knuckle-dragging dimwits who don’t have a creative thought or significant accomplishment in their pathetic lives.1 Contrary to that view, however, is a growing trend among most Western-nation military leaders to study the Greek classics. Several of my neighbors at a recent get… Read More »
[July 28, 2018] Do you want to be a leader? If you answer this question like you should, the answer will be “yes” because no other answer is acceptable. To be a leader you must learn a number of important skills. One of them is to never punish loyal followers for being honest. “Leaders who don’t listen will… Read More »
[July 27, 2018] It has been a long-running theme here on my leadership blog that a leader’s character can only be developed through hard times. But I’m going out on a limb today and now arguing that good character can only be developed through suffering. That’s right, only by suffering can the best in us truly come out.… Read More »
[July 26, 2018] … and 90 percent perspiration. This famous quote is by Thomas Edison, a man often described as America’s “greatest inventor.”1 Great leaders inspire! They also understand that providing inspiration is only part of the formula and that working to see that inspiration achieves real results is where the hard work really happens. “Our chief want… Read More »
[July 25, 2018] One of the advantages of long-term and successful experience as a senior leader is the acquired ability to identify and promote talented leaders. It becomes a “calling” to find, support, and advance those junior leaders who show high potential as future leaders. “Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them.”… Read More »
[July 24, 2018] Army Vet has a lot to say about the U.S. Army and how its leadership lacks the courage to train and keep real warriors. U.S. Army senior leaders and their political civilian leadership no longer have the guts to develop warriors within its ranks. During World War II and the Korean War, being a real… Read More »
[July 23, 2018] In our world there has been a trend – some say it’s a fad – to denigrate anything having to do with religion. That trend is foolish and here is one reason why. Simply put, the Jesuit religious value system brings out the very best in people. A Jesuit education is an integral part of… Read More »
[July 22, 2018] One of the very first characteristics of senior leaders highlighted here at www.theleadermaker.com was transparency. Any leader today, in a modern world with instant communications, must be transparent in their leadership skills, their behavior, and their decision making. Leaders must also be willing to admit the truth and seek the absolute truth because only through… Read More »