[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 »
[April 11, 2018] You and I have probably had a similar experience with a boss that made us madder-n-hell. Like so many folks, I had a boss that had few leadership skills yet held the title of “Commander.” To those who worked for him, he was a leader in name only. I personally don’t hold the expectation that… Read More »
[April 10, 2018] If there is one stereotype of military folks, it is that they are closed-minded; in other words, slow to adopt new ideas, tactics, and equipment. One need only look to World War I as a not-so-subtle reminder that this is probably true. On the other hand, I’ve found that most military professionals today are very… Read More »
[April 9, 2018] A legendary story about gentlemanly behavior comes from Elizabethan times when Sir Walter Raleigh laid down his cloak before the Queen so she would not get her feet wet.1 But times are changing and there are some folks who now ask whether gentlemen are a dying breed. Nevertheless, for a leader, the answer is to… Read More »
[April 6, 2018] A close friend of mine was quickly headed for leader burnout. It was 2007 in Iraq; Engineers were pushing hard to prepare for the troop “surge” ordered by President Bush and things were not going well. Recently promoted to the rank of Colonel, he had been working long hours without any time off and stress… Read More »