You'll see in my upcoming video on Ronald Reagan and the Challenger that I mention "we all know what tragedy means," or words to that effect. In thinking about it today, I'm not so sure. Tragedy has a lot of different looks, more than one meaning. The result is that tragedy may act in various ways in various leadership situations. As I think about my upcoming open-to-the-public workshop on January … [Read more...]
January 6, 2011 by
January 5, 2011 by
One of the hard truths about leadership is that tragedy is among the most crucial moments for leaders. In times of tragedy followers are looking carefully at their leader, watching, listening, weighing, and concluding the leader's actions and words and gestures. Tragedy is perhaps the pivotal test of a leader's abilities. And the next hard truth is this: tragedy is always headed right for you; … [Read more...]
January 5, 2011 by
I never fail to be amazed by history. In doing the research for my upcoming public seminar on Ronald Reagan, the Challenger speech, and the leadership of tragedy, I've discovered several powerful elements to the story that are entirely ignored in either the retelling or the memory of the event. Here are a couple of examples of what I mean. First, Reagan's speech on January 28,1986 was the second … [Read more...]
January 4, 2011 by
I saw in yesterday's local newspaper that a group of young people, aged in their twenties primarily, have developed a habit of meeting together monthly at a bar. They hold a common interest in starting their own companies, enterprises, and ventures, mostly in the technology sector. The article also pointed out that many venture capitalists and angel investors were beginning to show up at the … [Read more...]
January 4, 2011 by
I’m putting the finishing touches on my book about Dr. Michael Evans and his company, AIT. His and the company’s stories fit neatly within my river framework. As the reader, you will see the river in all its variety. One of the biggest points for most of you will be the role that your own opinions and definitions play in the presence or absence of success. Dr. Evans refused to accept failure. That … [Read more...]
January 1, 2011 by
Ask yourself the Peyton Manning question. I did. And the effort in doing so has been repaid many times over. Here is my Peyton Manning question--what am I Peyton Manning at doing? I'm a word nut. In almost every instance the words I say and write and think are chosen with great care. That's certainly true with my Peyton Manning question. You see, when I think of Manning I think of someone who … [Read more...]
December 30, 2010 by
The Battle of Tippecanoe has two features that I'm excited to be working on for my forthcoming book. First, I'll be examining the issue of leadership and diversity from a new vantage point. Both the American and Native American perspectives on leadership will be treated in my book. Second, I'll introduce you to a group of heretofore forgotten people from history. The "big three" of the event will … [Read more...]
December 30, 2010 by
I've started working on a new book for publication in fall, 2011. On November 7, 2011 will be the bicentennial of the Battle of Tippecanoe, fought on the eve of the War of 1812. I'm planning to research and write a book about the battle and events surrounding it. My focus will be the one Iike to use--the leadership points that can be applied in your life today. I'll explore the Battle of … [Read more...]
December 23, 2010 by
I read about a week or so ago that the Pearl Harbors Survivors Association is dying. Literally. The members of the organization—devoted to remembering an event they lived through in December 1941—are passing away. The river rolls on. Two things die with them. One is the collective oral memories of the members. Yes, it’s likely many of the members wrote their memories down on paper. But there’s … [Read more...]
December 22, 2010 by
In my upcoming leadership development session on Ronald Reagan, the Challenger disaster, and leadership in tragedy, you have two very important strengths to add to this experience. Because of these two strengths, this session will be especially useful to you and your fellow participants. First, as I've written elsewhere on this blog, you may have lived through this event. You can participate as a … [Read more...]
