· The kernel of my reaction—I’ll watch it more than once in the movie theater, and will also buy a copy of the DVD for my home theater. I can’t endorse a film anymore than that. Go see it. (when you're done reading these bullet points, be sure to watch my video entitled "Lincoln and Me, Lincoln and You"--you'll find it in the video section of my website) · I was excited about this film from the … [Read more...]
November 27, 2012 by
November 26, 2012 by
Over this past weekend, a symbolic moment arrived for China. The People's Republic of China announced the successful landing of a military jet plane aboard an aircraft carrier. Four other military aircraft landed on the carrier a short time later. An aircraft carrier is a recognized symbol of global military power. It allows a nation to move its military aircraft--and the weaponry that they … [Read more...]
November 21, 2012 by
I conducted a Leadership Now Walkshop earlier today. In case you don't know, this is a service of mine that uses experiential learning for leadership development. I take a group of 2-8 people on a hike through downtown Indianapolis to re-experience 5 sites important to Benjamin Harrison on Wednesday, July 9, 1862. That's the day, 15 months after the start of the Civil War, that 28-year-old … [Read more...]
November 21, 2012 by
Currently, one of the books I'm reading is by Edward Porter Alexander. He was an officer in the Confederate artillery during the Civil War. He was in almost every major battle fought by the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Confederate General Robert E. Lee. I'm struck by one of Alexander's comments from 1864. He notes that a difference could be felt by the Confederate army when Ulysses S. … [Read more...]
November 20, 2012 by
If you haven't done so, look at the previous blog entry on culture and leadership. You'll see that this is a new activity of mine for a client. I'd like to add a point from history here. The group we know as the "Founding Fathers" (George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and so on) were very concerned with culture. They believed that a foundational part of self-government depended on the … [Read more...]
November 19, 2012 by
I think an important part of leadership is missing in all the books, articles, and lectures on the subject. It’s the part about your experience as a leader and follower simultaneously. You are a leader and follower at the same time. If you know me at all, you have heard or read my definition of leadership. Being a leader means you have one or more followers. That’s a leader. Period. But it’s … [Read more...]
November 19, 2012 by
As I wrote in a previous blog entry, to teach is to transform. When you're a leader seeking transformation of what you and your followers are doing, you better look at your ability to teach. William DePuy, the American general who transformed the American army after the Vietnam War, saw that teaching was a central part of his role as transformative leader. I'd like you to go deeper into this … [Read more...]
November 16, 2012 by
To transform is to teach. You must be an effective teacher if your followers are to realize transformation, if their group or organization is to become something significantly different and better than what it has been. Osmosis won't cut it. Serving as a silent example won't, either. And don't get me started about the non-starter of yelling, shouting, and bullying your way to transformation. Nope, … [Read more...]
November 8, 2012 by
A Special Service from Historical Solutions LLC & Dr. Dan Miller To See, Smell, Touch, Hear, & Feel Is To Learn, Know, & Grow as a Leader What’s The Goal? To prepare you as a leader for the next big, shocking change What’s The Method? You are one of a 3-5 person group that walks to 5 places vital to the story of our 28-year old leader on July 9, 1862. Who Is He? Benjamin … [Read more...]
November 8, 2012 by
3 people went out on the Walkshop this morning. One of the most gratifying aspects of it was this statement from a participant: "His whole life turned in a different direction in literally one minute." A short while later, my wife and I spoke on the phone. She caught me up on her day at the office. Among the things she shared was this: "Their whole lives completely changed in that … [Read more...]
