A fair amount of time has passed since I added a new recommendation to the Bookshelf. Today, I right that wrong. I was first introduced to the writing style of Thomas E. Ricks in his study of US Military leadership titled The Generals. Less a history and more of an organizational biography, The Generals tracksContinue reading “A Worthy Read for the Moment”
Tag Archives: Professional Development
At a loss…
Let me start by acknowledging that my time in uniform never took me to Afghanistan. It simply wasn’t where the Marine Corps sent me. Nevertheless, I lost a few friends to that far away land. I’m writing tonight after a stunning few days when the world witnessed the implosion of twenty years worth of nationalContinue reading “At a loss…”
The Gift of a Transformative Culture
It truly feels like yesterday. I remember the heat and the humidity. I can still hear the crack of rifles and the uniform stomp of boots as our company crossed the parade ground, drilling on display for friends and families. Within the Marine Corps, there’s a common cadence for public events – a predictable runContinue reading “The Gift of a Transformative Culture”
The Pesky Problems of a Crisis Mindset
“If everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority.” Some Marine Officer, sometime I honestly can’t remember just when I heard this USMC truism, but it’s one of those that I encountered repeatedly in uniform. It may not be fully fair, but I’m going to accredit this one to my former Commanding Officer. ForContinue reading “The Pesky Problems of a Crisis Mindset”
3 Steps to Keeping a Level Head in Politics
Despite my best efforts, I still get worked up from time to time. I get heated, frustrated, and perturbed by the day-to-day in politics. Those are the moments when, just months later, I’ll find myself looking back and wondering why? Why did I let it get to me? I had one of those retrospective momentsContinue reading “3 Steps to Keeping a Level Head in Politics”
Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted
“I just don’t know what to say. Can you write it out for me?” No. That should be the unequivocal, unwavering answer from any grassroots manager. No, we should never – under any circumstances – write out a script for our volunteers. Why? Advocacy isn’t a performance art. In its purest form, advocacy is simplyContinue reading “Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted”
Three Steps for Hosting Better Meetings
In the past several weeks, I’ve seen a theme developing on LinkedIn discussion channels. Folks are pointing out the problem with colleagues, especially leaders, taking pride in how busy they are. Here’s a particular piece making the rounds. Maybe you’re caught in this cycle too, rushing from meeting to meeting, compressing every moment of yourContinue reading “Three Steps for Hosting Better Meetings”
No Need for 10,000 Hours
Your participation in advocacy is valuable precisely because you are an expert at something else.
You Matter More than You Think
There is a massive hurdle standing between you and successful advocacy: self doubt. Whether we wish to admit it or not, most of us are carrying a bit of a complex around with us. Somewhere, tucked back in our brains is an invasive thought: what I have to say won’t really matter. I’ve thought aboutContinue reading “You Matter More than You Think”
There’s Room for Everyone to Succeed
The surest way to achieve your own goals is to help others achieve theirs. When we think of serving each other in this way, we acknowledge an abundance in the world around us – and that there’s more than enough for all of us to find success. I was reminded of this truism while paintingContinue reading “There’s Room for Everyone to Succeed”
Part of the Possible 