[April 05, 2014] There is an old proverb that says that opportunity knocks only once. While there are many meanings, one common interpretation is that when something presents itself to you, there is only one chance to make the right decision on it. “Opportunity knocks only once. You never know if you’ll get another opportunity.” – Leon Spinks … Read More »
[April 04, 2014] Senior executive leaders know that accountability is something that is required of them and also know it is one of those traits that runs against our natural tendencies. Accepting responsibility for the actions of others, in particular poor actions of others, is a leader feature that sets them apart from others. All leaders are accountable… Read More »
[April 03, 2014] We can expect over the next few days a lot of talk and hype about the reasons for another deadly shooting at a U.S. military base and, of course, much speculation about the shooter. Further, the national media and others will use the tragic event to further their political agendas. We will hear most about… Read More »
[April 03, 2014] Leadership works and (supposedly) it does work because of rational decisions of humans. But consider that leadership may be an outcome of trial and error in human affairs1. Maybe it’s the result of some people wanting the easier path, avoiding responsibility. In an earlier blog (link here) we discussed how leadership is not linear because… Read More »
[April 02, 2014] Leadership does not mean that in order to be successful, people must like that person. However, it is important for senior leaders to not be in a position of being intensely hated. To be truly hated, that leader must dramatically violate accepted norms of society. Two women today are hated by the major of Americans… Read More »
[April 01, 2014] This season’s of Major League Baseball has begun. We begin with a number of interesting tidbits. But what makes baseball such an addictive game? It’s slow, boring at times, and has a bunch of guys in their pajamas standing around spitting on the ground and staring at each other. What could be “worse” we are… Read More »
[April 01, 2014] The United Nations’ report issued yesterday declared that future global warming impacts will be “severe, pervasive, and irreversible.” Many expected this conclusion but it is certainly not without strongly differing opinions. Yet, how leaders conduct themselves in the mist of such strong controversial issues and how they deal with dissent, tells us much about that… Read More »
[March 31, 2014] I like to do my part in helping those in need. My work as a volunteer is rewarding through activities filled with wonderful, caring people – not unlike many who do the same. Yet, this leader trait can be both a help and a hindrance by artificially protecting those who repeatedly fail and grow to… Read More »
[March 30, 2014] There are many events from the Vietnam War that we all remember; most about heroes, some about leadership, and a few so unique and inspiring that we can never forget them. In 1966, one involved a captured U.S. serviceman who was on international television answering North Vietnamese interviewer’s propaganda questions. Jeremiah Denton did so while… Read More »
[March 29, 2014] Leadership sometimes means standing up for controversial and unpopular positions in your organization. The effect of combat on troops is one where I personally deviate from chosen line. In this case, I have made the argument that the impact of combat has positive as well as negative effects; a position that gets me into some… Read More »