[April 11, 2016] The traditional mission of formal education is to make kids smarter, better citizens, and more successful in life. Turning kids into leaders, however, is a fairly new attempt to do just that … and more. Teaching, mentoring, and coaching kids about leadership is beginning to show positive results and that is good for all of… Read More »
[April 10, 2016] In Part 1 of this short series on tainted leaders I wrote about how it was impossible for any and everyone not to know about a leader’s mistakes. However, when mistakes are bad enough and a scandal erupts, it’s not too late to do something about it … that’s my opinion anyway. But it takes… Read More »
[April 9, 2016] We regularly read about leaders who are involved in some scandal; either from their personal behavior or by association. Most of those who violate moral, legal, or ethical standards are fired or resign from their jobs but they don’t just disappear. Leaders tainted by scandal present a special leadership challenge. In a networked-modern society it… Read More »
[April 8, 2016] It was once said that “evil prospers when good men do nothing.” So it was with Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer; recognized for being someone who we can all look up to for courage in the face of certain death. Today, I’m recognizing Bonhoeffer as a hero to all free peoples and holding him up as someone… Read More »
[April 7, 2016] I had a great opportunity last week to meet with several secondary school teachers here in New York City. Since they knew my background in the military, they were anxious to get my opinion on and support for their NYC Mentorship Program (NYCMP). The program has some great successes in getting public high school students… Read More »
[April 6, 2016] During the late 1980s I lived next door to a World War I “doughboy”; a great person in all respects. He told me many stories of the war but one in particular I remember vividly. It was the one where he lost his rifle in battle (a serious problem) but, he said, “there were so… Read More »
[April 5, 2016] I got a call the other day from a retired colonel who was one of my several military mentors. He wanted to know if, during my time as a General officer, I had mentored anyone and if so were they successful. I told him that the question was a bit odd because those I agreed… Read More »
[April 4, 2016] I’m a believer that leaders are made, not born, and, I’m a firm believer that the best leaders are made in the crucible of fire. That fire can be combat or any other high-level emergency or challenge that is overcome. Leaders who survive it are all the better for the experience. And so it is… Read More »
[April 3, 2016] After one year in the American War of Independence with Britain, on April 3, 1776, the Continental Congress authorized private commercial ships, known as privateers, to attack British ships. The war was to last another seven years but one of the best strategic decisions of that Congress was this authorization. British vessels were harassed throughout… Read More »
[April 2, 2016] If I recall it correctly, my second grade teacher told me once that I needed to do a better job at empathizing with others. This was over half a century ago when good conduct was considered an asset and before U.S. President Bill Clinton told us “I feel your pain.” And now we see people… Read More »