[October 23, 2019] Leadership means educating people about things that make them wiser and more likable as an individual. One item is telling them something of utmost importance. If they believe they should be doing something – and are afraid to do it – then they should do it. That is one way to see if you are… Read More »
[October 22, 2019] Yesterday, while I was writing my article on the Anglo-Zulu War battle at Isandlwana, I thought about fear and how it affects us in different ways (link here). Knowing fear and how to control ourselves while under its influence, is a subject most leaders would like to avoid. For this reason and the fact that… Read More »
[October 20, 2019] Some time ago, when I was a very young teenager and working at a firework stand. I had some trouble getting all the different kinds of pyrotechnics on the stand properly and asked Mr. Mike Browder, the owner, to give me some help. His advice was simple and straightforward, “Doug” he said, “just do it.”… Read More »
[September 25, 2019] The U.S. presidential campaign by New York City mayor Bill de Blasio is over.1 Like so many leaders of World War I variety, the NYC mayor made little effort to be present in the Big Apple when he was needed most. Senior leadership is very difficult because the greatest challenge is being able to communicate… Read More »
[June 28, 2019] Growing up, I always knew my uncle was in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Named after my granddaddy Smith (married to Bigmama), “Junior” was a man of serious integrity, family-focused, and a person you could trust to help no matter what. Yesterday, I received his 1944 Bluejacket’s Manual; something I will forever keep… Read More »
[June 21, 2019] It had been a long day. The temperature was hovering around 120 degrees since about 10 am and the smell of garbage and filth permeated the air. As the afternoon sun bore down on our convoy, driving the temperatures up in our armored vehicles, we could see the glint of binoculars from the guard tower.… Read More »
[June 20, 2019] It is often said that the greatest leaders in the world are the ones that want you to succeed. That is true, of course. But it is also true that any leader who is jealous of or fears your success is one that can never be trusted. “The greatest gift of leadership is a boss… Read More »
[June 4, 2019] Leadership does not follow a predetermined path. Good leaders do not base their decisions on a matrix, checklist, or a process but on what is right and moral; anything else is wrong and will fail. That is why leaders are given little or no fixed path to success. Often, the best guidance I got was… Read More »
[May 22, 2019] I once knew a highly-motivated Army Lieutenant who was about as aggressive as an officer can be without crossing the line between motivated and crazy. She had a saying, “I’ll give them my triple seven.” She meant to motivate soldiers that she would use her size 7 boot, stick it 7-inches up their butt, and… Read More »
[May 20, 2019] Yesterday, a good friend alerted me to a recent lecture by Thomas E. Ricks1 on why WWII generals were more successful than those in Korea, Vietnam, or Iraq/Afghanistan. There are several outstanding leader lessons but one on U.S. General George C. Marshall’s essential qualities of a general stood out, and I thought I would pass… Read More »