[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 »
[April 23, 2018] There are very few folks who would think otherwise to the sage advice that it’s important to have a good attitude. A problem arises, however, whenever we try to define “good attitude” and why it is so important for leaders to have it. “Commitment, belief and positive attitude are all important if you’re going to… Read More »
[April 22, 2018] Trending over the past few years has been a number of discussion threads on what is being called generous leadership. What is it and is not has been kicked around like any new idea and I am here today to provide a short list of those elements. Recently, Dave Kraft, in his Leadership from the… Read More »
[April 19, 2018] Last week, a Boy Scout in the Troop in which I volunteer, asked me how he could get younger scouts to attend more meetings. After discussing the issue with him for a few minutes, I brought up the subject of what military leaders do and don’t do to motivate soldiers. “Dream more than others think… Read More »