As we came out of the 1970s with the Cold War drawing to a close and new threats rising from every corner of the map, the Army knew it had to change its culture. I described that decision in We’re All In. We had to build junior leaders who could make real strategic decisions, which … Read more
Why one general’s quiet habit worked, and how to make it yours. Last week I told you about one of my role models, Lieutenant General Don Holder (USA retired), who visited the junior soldiers in a unit, asked lots of thoughtful questions, took notes, and never interrupted their answers. I keep coming back to that … Read more
The second Big 6 principle is the one almost every leader underestimates. One of the finest Army leaders I ever observed in my military career was Lieutenant General (Retired) Don Holder. He helped lead the Army’s doctrinal shift toward decentralized operations and empowerment, and in doing so he shaped generations of leaders. But what I … Read more
Why waiting for certainty is its own kind of failure, and what taking charge actually requires. In 1991, I commanded an Armored Cavalry Squadron of roughly 800 Soldiers and 50 armored vehicles. We were training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, deep in the Mojave Desert, preparing for a major battle against … Read more
How a leader’s reaction to bad news determines whether they ever hear it again. “Progress occurs when courageous and skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” President Harry S. Truman said that, and it has stayed with me because that opportunity almost always begins at an uncomfortable moment. It begins with … Read more
The five stages of culture every organization passes through, and how to tell which one you’re really in. A car dealership executive told me about one of his service technicians not long ago. The man was finishing up a vehicle at the end of a long shift, and the executive stopped by and asked what … Read more
