[January 29, 2015] Who has grown up not reading about the famous battle at Thermopylae where a small Greek infantry force held a narrow coastal passage against a huge Persian army? Or, who has not been taught about the humankind’s first democracy in Greece? From the most ancient of times, Greece has provided great leadership and the recent… Read More »
[January 28, 2015] As a Captain in the U.S. Army commanding a company, I was always looking for ways to provide more motivation for my soldiers. Awards in the form of medals, passes (time off), promotion, and letters of commendation were all items in my leadership toolbox that had been used successfully in the past. I wanted more… Read More »
[January 27, 2015] Core values tell us a lot about people and their culture. Ten American core values were proposed in Parts 1 and 2 previously, but how can we test them against what American’s respect and see as popular? Most people the world over would likely be able to identify what Americans like and do so for… Read More »
[January 26, 2015] American core values are not something we hear people talk about much these days. We do hear politicians talking about “fairness” and “equality”, yet the meanings do not always align with what most Americans think. Our leaders help set the tone for dialog and we look to them for how to treat others and for… Read More »
[January 25, 2015] A few days ago, I was invited to have lunch with about a dozen good friends; all retired from the U.S. military. While eating our pastrami sandwiches and drinking cream soda, the inevitable comment came up about how many young people in the U.S. are so different from us. American core values have not had… Read More »
[January 24, 2015] There’s a concept in sports, business, and the military that postulates that if your decision-making cycle is faster than your competitor, you can win. It’s called getting inside the decision cycle and it’s all about being a champion and winning. That may seem harsh … but failure is rarely a good option. My experience is… Read More »
[January 23, 2015] While watching the news on television I saw the press conference with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Being a football fan kept me on the channel while he fielded questions about the deflated football “scandal.” My wife asked me, “Who would think this an important issue?” Many do think it important but whether we… Read More »
[January 22, 2015] Carved in granite for all to see is the West Point U.S. Military Academy (USMA) cadet honor code. It’s a simple description of those things that make for a better leader and is there for all to see. It states that “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”1 When followed,… Read More »
By guest blogger Sadako Red [see disclaimer] [January 21, 2015] Who doesn’t like going to a good movie on a sunny Sunday afternoon? I went with a good friend of mine, who retired recently as the COO of a large manufacturing company. He’s also a U.S. Marine combat veteran from his time in Vietnam and suggested we see… Read More »
[January 20, 2015] Most children quickly earn a place in their family by learning to “tell the truth,” usually the result of stern lessons from a parent. This is often the first step to responsible adulthood. It’s no surprise then that when they are adults and occupy leadership positions they are aware of the advantages to maintaining their… Read More »