[October 31, 2018] Occasionally we are the lucky ones who have someone in our family that keeps us on the straight path to being a good person and who does so by dispensing practical guidance. My maternal grandmother, we called her bigmama, was a no-nonsense lady with the utmost integrity, moral strength, and compassion. “Don’t allow your fears… Read More »
[October 22, 2018] Occasionally, I run across a story that impresses me; not because it’s about someone overcoming adversity (which is newsworthy) but because important lessons are learned from it. David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL and shares a story of his difficult journey and in doing so gives us a number of valuable life and leadership… Read More »
[October 20, 2018] Technology continues to progress in all areas of life but one that I will highlight today is in the video industry. Peter Jackson, from “Lord of the Rings” fame, has applied his talents to bring to life old, silent film footage of World War I. Recently released, he put his genius to use in an… Read More »
[October 16, 2018] In 2017, thirty years after the making of one of my favorite movies Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), I had the privilege to speak with its star, Robin Williams. He was on a USO goodwill tour overseas and that’s how we met. The first thing I asked was about this movie. I never really knew the… Read More »
[September 17, 2018] I’ve been asked on several occasions to re-publish a few of my older articles on the U.S. military as a way to reintroduce the concept of “effectiveness in teams.” Today I’ve done that with an article on battle-hardened troops. Enjoy! [Originally published September 2, 2014] There are few things more confusing in military debate circles… Read More »
[September 14, 2018] On occasion, I like to watch old war movies. I watch them for the action and to get a small glimpse into what made them so popular back in the day they were made. Movies are made to make money but they are also a look into the minds of those who lived at that… Read More »
[September 3, 2018] Happy “5th” Anniversary to www.theLeaderMaker.com! As everyone knows who regularly reads my leader blog, I post daily on a topic of significance to those interested in improving their leadership skills. Never is there a shortage of topics. I still get suggestions from readers. Please continue to push them my way. Of some interest is a… Read More »
[August 29, 2018] I noted this before but it is worth saying again; I don’t highlight the deeds of heroes as much as I should. When we compare ourselves to their lives, we often come out lacking in some way. Today, I’ll be drawing attention to U.S. Airman Tech Sergeant John Chapman whose deeds in Afghanistan posthumously won… Read More »
[August 1, 2018] My recent experience with the Boy Scouts at summer camp (articles here and here) brought a number of comments from readers asking for practical leadership tips. I’ll soon start a short series on this, but for today I’ll offer one of the most useful of all practical leader tips; remember their names. Yes, that’s it… Read More »
[July 25, 2018] One of the advantages of long-term and successful experience as a senior leader is the acquired ability to identify and promote talented leaders. It becomes a “calling” to find, support, and advance those junior leaders who show high potential as future leaders. “Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them.”… Read More »