The Most Destructive Leader Trait

By | September 16, 2022

[September 16, 2022]  Much can be said about the many traits we find in the best of leaders; loyalty, morality, courage, accountability, etc.  Conversely, much has been written about destructive leader traits that damage their organization and act as impediments to excellence.  But among those destructive traits, which one is the most damaging?  Which is the most caustic… Read More »

Are the Basic Characteristics of Leaders Different?

By | September 15, 2022

[September 15, 2022]  I’ve been asked this question many times and the answer is, of course, “no” … the characteristics of leaders are the same as all other leaders.  To some of my friends, they were a bit surprised by my answer because, like many people, they are confusing leadership style with leadership characteristics. This may only be… Read More »

Leadership Means Uniting for a Common Cause

By | September 14, 2022

[September 14, 2022] It has been written repeatedly among those who study great leaders that one of their most sought-after characteristics is to unite people for a common cause.  Such a rare capability is desirable in the obvious but requires great strength of courage, broad experience, and wisdom.  To unite is the epitome of greatness. “Divide and rule,… Read More »

Characteristics of Bad Leaders

By | September 13, 2022

[September 13, 2022]  Many books, articles, news stories, and such have been written about bad bosses, and all of us have spoken to one another about the poor leadership we’ve experienced.  And I’ve written about the topic before (see links here, here, and here).  Often, leaders present a typical picture of those traits of bad leadership. Here is… Read More »

Personal Energy: an outward Display

By | September 12, 2022

[September 12, 2022]  Several new movies about Britain’s PM Winston Churchill are out.  Historical inaccuracies aside, these movies and other sources tell us that Churchill is a revered figure worldwide for his leadership during World War II.  We also know that Churchill had high personal energy, which helped him get things done. Churchill was also intellectually brilliant, highly… Read More »

9/11: Now 21 Years Ago – Remember!

By | September 11, 2022

[September 11, 2022]  Exactly 21 years ago today, on September 11, 2001, it was a day that it seemed the world stood still for a full day in all 195 countries on Earth.  The victims of the terrorist attack that occurred in New York City (the twin towers), Washington DC (at the Pentagon) and Shanksville, PA.  9/11 is… Read More »

Turning to Good Deeds

By | September 10, 2022

[September 10, 2022]  Tomorrow is the 21st anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack on America.  As many of us prepare for the ceremonies, gather with friends, and think about where we were and what we did that day, I’m recycling an article I wrote two years ago.  It’s a good one, and there were many good comments.  The… Read More »

Leadership and Self-Awareness

By | September 9, 2022

[September 9, 2022]  Leadership today involves navigating some of the most difficult situations without any signpost markers along the way telling us which way is best.  That means a leader must be, by definition, resilient, tough-minded, and inner-directed.  However, more than anything else, a leader must be self-aware to “see” solutions to life’s obstacles. “Self-awareness is the ability… Read More »

Be Prepared: the right Pathway

By | September 8, 2022

[September 8, 2022]  On my first field exercise as an army Lieutenant, I was tasked to take my platoon from our base camp to another location a short distance away.  Twelve armored personnel carriers readied, and off we went … and since I was a great map reader, I anticipated no problems on the trip.  Unfortunately, the route… Read More »