[August 9, 2018] The biggest mistake I’ve ever made was failing to listen to my maternal grandmother (we called her “bigmama”). She told the gaggle of her grandkids sitting in a circle one day to never underestimate other people. “Golden rule of life: never underestimate your rivals.” – Sid Waddell, English sports commentator and television personality We were… Read More »
[August 7, 2018] Last week I was watching a classic Vietnam War movie, Apocalypse Now (1970). A line by one of the characters got my attention. While Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is traveling upriver to find Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando) when he tells one of the young soldiers looking for guidance on how to scare off the Viet… Read More »
[August 6, 2018] Several years ago I was driving in a small town located in eastern Pennsylvania, south of the city of Scranton when I came upon a terrible automobile accident. I arrived only a couple of minutes after the accident but there were already three men working feverishly to get the occupants out. At the risk of… Read More »
[August 5, 2018] I like explanative ideas that deviate from the norm yet also provide a surprising accounting of relevant socio-political phenomenon. A few months ago in a New York Post article, Ralph Peters wrote in an opinion piece giving his thoughts on why so many countries prefer tyranny over democracy. This is why I’m a fan of… Read More »
[July 29, 2018] There’s an old stereotype that soldiers in the military are a bunch of knuckle-dragging dimwits who don’t have a creative thought or significant accomplishment in their pathetic lives.1 Contrary to that view, however, is a growing trend among most Western-nation military leaders to study the Greek classics. Several of my neighbors at a recent get… Read More »
[July 9, 2018] Like several previous posts on political leadership, this is part of an on-going series that focuses on new and controversial ideas. Today, I’m highlighting Victor Davis Hanson, military historian and senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. The one thing he has in common with the others written about here is his provocative ideas –… Read More »
[May 25, 2018] It wasn’t that long ago that opportunities for young adults in employment, education, and service to one’s country were available to all; no longer. Today, that means that when opportunity knocks … get moving through that door and take advantage of it. “When opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle, American comedian and… Read More »
[May 21, 2018] Strategy is the commerce of leaders. It is what separates the good from the bad and the eager from the lazy. This is why, in the study of history, strategic blunders are worth a closer look for important lessons that make us better. It has been said that the greatest strategic blunder during World War… Read More »
[April 29, 2018] U.S. Army Special Forces (SoF) are part of a highly efficient and effective military organization like many of their counterparts in the Navy SEALS, Air Force Special Ops, and Marine Recon. What all of these high-performance organizations do is take their leadership training and education seriously. Their dedication to relentless training and preparation is legendary. … Read More »
[April 25, 2018] This may seem counterintuitive, but it is possible – as a leader – you can be wrong, when you’re right. This is true even when standing up for the highest of moral values. Leaders must be aware of this and consciously take note of possible negative consequences. We need first to remember that “right” and… Read More »