A Message from U.S. President Trump

By | April 17, 2017

[April 17, 2017]  There has been a lot of discussion recently about what message U.S. President Donald Trump intended to send when he authorized a military strike on a Syrian air base.  For those familiar with the complexities of great leadership, things are not so simple.  I support this authorization because I understand what he means and so… Read More »

The Unsinkable Molly Brown

By | April 15, 2017

[April 15, 2017]  We deserve a little levity today.  In the United States, this date is when our annual taxes are due.  Today is also the anniversary of the RMS Titanic sinking, U.S. President Lincoln dying from an assassin’s bullet, and terrorist bombing the Boston Marathon; among other infamous events.  It is also the day that Molly Brown… Read More »

Don’t Tell Me HOW to do it …

By | April 14, 2017

[April 14, 2017]  Late in January, the Winter of 2007, on the outskirts of the city of Baghdad Iraq, I was given the most difficult mission that can be assigned to an Engineer.  Personally given to me by General David Petraeus, Coalition Commander, I was to prepare to receive 45,000 combat troops in six months.  My only request? … Read More »

Why Study Amelia Earhart?

By | April 13, 2017

[April 13, 2017]  Those who study leadership find common ground when learning about great leaders of the past; the benefits being clear.  So why would we, as a matter of limited time available to us, want to study Amelia Earhart who was a famous pilot in early aviation history? “Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be… Read More »

Sports Lessons: Full Contact Jousting

By | April 12, 2017

[April 12, 2017]  Jousting is an old European martial sport originating sometime in the High Middle Ages1 and being popular among the Anglo-Norman knighthood because it showed courage, strength, endurance, and glory.  Today it’s being revived and it is a manly endeavor.  Some say it is accurately described as the world’s most dangerous sport in history. Louis Zamperini,… Read More »

What is Leadership: the Eternal Question

By | April 11, 2017

[April 11, 2017]  I’ve been involved with leadership for decades and yet one of the more frustrating things I’ve faced is a consistent narrative that goes something like this, “If you want to learn about leadership, then learn it from a senior leader.”  Frankly, nothing could be further from the truth, and today I have a special treat… Read More »

Leaders Take Ownership

By | April 10, 2017

[April 10, 2017]  A leader can be the best for the job, can be the smartest and strongest person, and can have all the resources available … but can still fail.  We’ve all seen it happen when one of our best leaders fails to accomplish an important mission.  Authentic leaders will never blame others or outside events for… Read More »

I Must Study Politics and War

By | April 8, 2017

[April 8, 2017]  It has been the history of humankind to wage war against one another and to do so for reasons that, at times, escapes our understanding.  But what we do know is that those who failed to prepare themselves against outside forces always ceased to exist.1  The Founding Fathers of the United States were adamant in… Read More »