Never Leave a Soldier Behind

By | January 20, 2016

[January 20, 2016]  There’s an old saying among troops in militaries across time and cultures that you never leave a soldier behind.  This is part of the warrior ethos that brings them together on the battlefield and explains, in part, the band of brothers (sisters) phenomenon we know so well. Of course, this saying applies to all military… Read More »

Why Concern for Security is a Sign of a Good Leader

By | January 19, 2016

By guest blogger Cassie Phillips [January 19, 2016]  It might not be the most glamorous part of the job, but as a leader, you need to provide an environment where everyone feels safe. While most people would think of physical security, there are fortunately few violent incidents to deal with in today’s world. What I’m talking about is… Read More »

What will be the Hot Leadership Topics of 2016?

By | January 19, 2016

[January 19, 2016]  Annually it’s a tradition to make forecasts for the New Year and to anticipate what topics will be at the top of everyone’s list to discuss.  Last year it was Islamic terrorism and illegal immigration.  This year 2016 will bring a few surprises but some will be easily guessed. The biggest news for the U.S.… Read More »

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Leadership

By | January 18, 2016

[January 18, 2016]  In honor of the contributions made by Martin Luther King Jr., today was set aside to recognize his ideals and the leadership he gave before his life was tragically ended by an assassin.  MLK’s principles have been fully incorporated into the American psychic and its moral values, making this nation a better place to live… Read More »

Military Blunders: Leadership Failure or Not?

By | January 17, 2016

[January 17, 2016]  Military blunders are fascinating for their mystery and tragic for their death and destruction.  The inevitable question asked in each case was whether or not each was a failure of leadership or of something else.  Interestingly, militaries have studied the failures of armed forces for generations but the lessons learned are not always the right… Read More »

Watch Out for Grazing Fire

By | January 16, 2016

[January 16, 2016]  While in the U.S. Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, all new second lieutenants learn about Grazing Fire and to watch out for it when in the attack against a determined enemy.  It’s the type of combat technique that will quickly cut an attacking force to pieces.  Leaders will experience grazing fire, symbolically anyway, whenever… Read More »

Leaders Prepare for Unusual Circumstances

By | January 15, 2016

[January 15, 2016]  At the outbreak of World War II, most of the world’s major powers were not prepared in any way for the death and destruction that was to follow.  Today, we find that most senior leaders are well prepared and have learned from the failures of other leaders.  Good leaders prepare for extraordinary circumstances that could… Read More »

Impatience is a Leader’s Greatest Weakness

By | January 14, 2016

[December 14, 2016]  One of the greatest assets of a leader is the ability to make timely and expertly-executed decisions.  It follows that leaders are at their best when they are neither hasty nor act without thinking through the consequences of their actions and what they say.  Many leaders have failed simply because they lack the patience to… Read More »

Realizing Weaknesses in Others

By | January 13, 2016

[January 13, 2016]  Good leaders have a matchless ability to judge the character of others.  But it’s the realizing of weaknesses in others that’s so important for a leader.  I was fortunate as a junior officer that my commander saw my weaknesses that needed work and he was able to push and pull me in the right direction… Read More »

Alabama Football Team Wins Championship

By | January 12, 2016

[January 12, 2016]  There are those who have said that defense doesn’t win championships, special teams and big plays win championships.  Some truth here but it’s really great coaching, leadership, and quality training programs are the biggest factors.  Congratulations to the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, the coaches, and staffs for their win last night over the Clemson… Read More »