[July 3, 2017] As we look back across time it is difficult to ascertain the qualities of most of humankind’s best leadership except for those who have made deep contributions. Davy Crockett is one of those who tackles our imaginations and pricks our interest in many ways. He is a true American folk hero and fits that mold… Read More »
[June 7, 2017] As I traveled about several states over the past four days, I was lucky to come across the Freedom Center in the North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. My wife and I have traveled in nearly every major airport in the continental U.S. and look forward to stopping by to visit USO facilities. The Freedom… Read More »
[May 29, 2017] Annually, on Memorial Day I give a speech about the meaning of this very special day. This day is special not just for those citizens of the United States but also for those in foreign lands where our military has gone to protect them from evil. Today, my speech is about what Memorial Day is,… Read More »
[May 8, 2017] Those of us not adults on May 8, 1945 have no idea the rejoicing that took place on this date 72 years ago. Victory in Europe was achieved at enormous cost in lives; so much given the price paid is simply beyond human imagination. Yet when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered, and later Imperial Japan, the… Read More »
[April 24, 2017] The thumbnail picture gives some hint to the identity of this man Georges Thenault. Americans won’t know the name but will recognize his story as Captain Thenault commander of the Lafayette Escadrille;1 a French organization made up mostly of American fighter pilots during World War I. The few American pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille (Escadrille… Read More »
[April 13, 2017] Those who study leadership find common ground when learning about great leaders of the past; the benefits being clear. So why would we, as a matter of limited time available to us, want to study Amelia Earhart who was a famous pilot in early aviation history? “Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be… Read More »
[April 6, 2017] I had a good laugh the other day as I was discussing this upcoming post naming Roger Baldwin as a hero. You see, Baldwin is a lawyer and his reputation was mediocre for a senior leader. With one exception, he generally did okay for himself; in another instance he oversaw a trial that was famous… Read More »
[March 13, 2017] I know that it may seem an unlikely story, but it is true that I actually met a Japanese Kamikaze pilot from World War II. Since their primary task was to attack Allied naval vessels by crashing their planes into ships, meeting one was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. McGuire Air Force Base hosts… Read More »
[March 1, 2017] Trust and confidence is a fundamental attribute of leadership. It is the ability to build strong trust and confidence in others that makes a leader and furthermore it is a leader’s credibility that is drawn from those who work in similar professions. That brings me to a story from a good friend of mine who… Read More »
[February 22, 2017] Adversity, uncertainty, confusion … all play a part in how we see great leaders who demonstrate the moral courage overcome such obstacles. The greater the adversity, the greater the leader who can prevail. In the civilian world, attorney James B. Donovan showed moral courage when he helped release prisoners from several communist countries. “Truth is… Read More »