“I am the same person I was last year.” 15 years ago, I realized that statement was a dubious accomplishment. Twelve months had gone by, and I had little to show for it. I hadn’t moved forward. I was stagnant. Characteristics of a Stagnant Pond: It has nothing flowing in or out. It becomes overgrown […]
As a leader, one of my biggest mistakes was believing I should treat everyone equally. This is a societal fallacy that has moved into HR driven management training. In fact, treating people equally is management not leadership. Treating all people equally is a management strategy that is meant to prevent litigation. It is a strategy […]
All real growth comes from mistakes. My son did not go from crawling to running a few months later without falling down. When he learned to walk, he fell after one step and got back up. He fell after 2 steps and got back up again. This pattern continued until he was running full speed […]
As a parent, I always want to clean and bandage a cut on my children to avoid infection and promote quick healing. I know wounds left to themselves can cause serious problems to the health of my children. Issues at work, within a friendship or at home that are left alone can be dangerous as […]
West Point. While many schools have impressive graduates. Few colleges can claim to have a greater impact on our nation than the United States Military Academy at West Point. The leaders of character that West Point continues to produce will continue to write the history of our nation. For July 4th, I provide you with […]
It was nuts! I had all the documentation and evidence I needed to fire her, but I was being investigated! She claimed I created an unfair work environment. This woman skipped work and lied repeatedly. I got reports of her sleeping with some customers and unprofessional behavior with others. Her actions created a schism within […]
He was tearing up! I hadn’t signed up for this type of seminar. This was not some new age self-actualization guru speaking to us. This guy was a Navy SEAL! You could hear the words get caught in his throat and see his eyes fill as he read to the audience. Everyone in the audience listened […]
He was a good military officer and is still a good friend. He is now in a sales job that does not have a leadership title, but he is developing people where he is. I recently asked him what he was doing that made him so successful. His response was simple: “I try to help […]
“Anderson! You have to be like Gumby! Come up with a new plan and do it quick or your men will die!” These words echoed through the woods as I stood confused during my first attempt leading an infantry squad during Cadet Basic Training at West Point. The staff sergeant wasn’t going to allow me […]
I couldn’t wait to be promoted. I knew all the things I wanted to accomplish. I was also looking forward to the perks of leadership. In the Army we used to say, “Rank Has It’s Privileges (RHIP).” But, years later, I realized that these sentiments were naive. They seem real to someone who has not […]
