[October 25, 2016] My great uncle owned and operated an animal feed store in Arkansas until the early 1960s when his business failed; which he blamed on racial integration of blacks. His racism was a serious blind spot because it deprived him of potential customers. Blind spots for leaders can also have disastrous consequences. But what are typical… Read More »
[October 24, 2016] Ten years ago exactly on this date in 2016, my unit was part of a major fight north of Baghdad. At the end of the day I was getting on a transport at the nearby Forward Operating Base that would take a few officers back for a debriefing. The appearance of the senior civilian in… Read More »
[October 23, 2016] If we were to have an official slogan for leadership it would be Follow Me! From the beginning of human existence, those who lead have inspired others to follow them to perform a task, to complete a mission, to engage the enemy on the battlefield, or to win on the playing field. It means that… Read More »
[October 22, 2016] In 1868, former U.S. Army General Ulysses S Grant was elected president to an office that had bore witness to a national divisiveness over the aftermath of the great U.S. Civil War that ended just a few years before. While Grant is best known for his generalship during that war, it was what he did… Read More »
[October 21, 2016] Great leadership means being capable of bringing people together to achieve a common goal. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, exemplifies this and other key leader qualities that are traditionally found in those individuals most successful in life and in politics. Clinton was expected to be the Democrat nominee from the beginning of… Read More »
[October 20, 2016] Great leaders are those that can simplify complexity and chaos, who can cut through to the heart of an argument, and offer solutions that everyone can understand. This is what the best leaders from business, the military, and government do day-in and day-out. Donald Trump, a billionaire businessman, is the Republican candidate for U.S. president who… Read More »
[October 19, 2016] Here at theLeaderMaker.com, I occasionally write a short “profile” on senior leaders. Over the next few days I will provide a leader profile on Hillary Clinton and on Donald Trump. I don’t normally give advanced warning on subject matters but given the interest in this upcoming election and the debate tonight, I thought it appropriate.… Read More »
[October 19, 2016] One of the greatest military commanders in history, Napoléon Bonaparte, once said that a leader is a dealer in hope. Leaders everywhere strive to give their followers hope … even when that message has only the flimsiest chance of success but especially during times of great danger. Hope is the great motivator. This is the… Read More »
[October 18, 2016] It’s my belief, based upon experience and study of leadership, that the proper development of good leaders requires a bad leader to give them lessons on how not to act. For my purposes here, when I write about a “bad leader” this refers to those with poor skills, not evil traits; not to confuse evil… Read More »
[October 17, 2016] There’s an old saying in the U.S. Army that goes something like this … “If you pass a problem by, you just set a new standard … a lower standard.” As a military leader when a problem (or issue, or concern) is overlooked, the troops will notice and see that leadership expectations are not as… Read More »