Publications

It's no coincidence that the champions who personify grace and humility are the most exalted.  Though the strutters and chest thumpers may have their moments in the sun, those who after winning remain modest and unassuming are remembered and revered throughout the ages.  (I believe Muhammad Ali to have been the exception because of his playfulness and sense of humor.)  Years ago I had the privilege of meeting such a humble champion, former Dallas Cowboys defensive end, Bob … [Read more...] about Untitled Piece

My apology if in a prior column I came across like a '60's college freshman after having read Siddhartha for the first time, though I must confess that I'm still giddy about “Extreme Ownership” by Leif Babin and Jocko Willink and keep rereading it and taking more notes, and, hopefully, the truth of it will prove to be more substantial than the passing vapor of what I learned as a part-time seeker at age 19. The last time I was this affected by such a powerful, straightforward book was my first … [Read more...] about Why Me?

The study and promotion of leadership skills is a relatively new discipline, yet it would take a zigabyte hard drive just to list all the books, seminars, and papers already written on the subject. Any list of new books includes self-help, leadership titles promising sure-fire, amazing results, and while I still remain alert for new information, my eyes scan them more quickly than I did, say, thirty years ago. A friend from way back is currently serving his country as a U.S. Congressman, but … [Read more...] about Capturing Truth In A Bottle

Ah, those classic sixties song lyrics never fail to serve us well when we ponder the makeup of successful leaders and followers. Kenny Rogers' first big time band had a hit song with the memorable line, “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.” A most valuable and essential skill is the ability to be present and aware of what “condition we are in” especially when we are facing the proverbial saber tooth tiger of modern times: stress. Mankind has always faced threats of … [Read more...] about Condition Cool

If you have read my previous columns you have by now heard of the late, Col. John Boyd, one of America's most brilliant and influential thinkers and strategists.  Boyd's works and the works of those dedicated to expanding his ideas continue to permeate the fields of military training, business strategy, and personal development.  Of course, his most familiar work is the storied “OODA Loop” now integrated into business, law enforcement and military strategy throughout the … [Read more...] about The Eyes Have It

Whether we remember the title of the hard rocking Led Zeppelin song or Strother Martin's classic line in the movie, “Cool Hand Luke”, there is just no forgetting the phrase, “communication breakdown”.  Even with the advent of the internet and especially with the limitations posed by a simple keyboard, communication between people not only continues to be a challenge, but some say we actually communicate less now than ever before due to our shorter attention spans and cleverly phrased, … [Read more...] about Communication Breakdown