We never lost sight of the reality that people, particularly gifted commanders, are what make units succeed. The way I like to put it, leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible. General Colin Powell, 1995 Continue reading Leadership is something more than management
Let us look briefly at what makes a good leader. One can see many lists of qualities and traits of leaders on sites such as LinkedIn. Go there and explore. These lists are all potentially useful, as long as we all remember that what may be good for one person may not be that useful for another. And that’s perfectly fine, as we are all … Continue reading What Makes a Good Leader
“Leadership must be based on goodwill. Goodwill does not mean posturing and, least of all, pandering to the mob. It means obvious and wholehearted commitment to helping followers. We are tired of leaders we fear… What we need for leaders are men of heart who are so helpful that they, in effect, do away with the need of their jobs. But leaders like that are … Continue reading Leadership must be based on Goodwill
Go here for a nice post on LinkedIn. The folks over at Leadership First always put out great posts in reference to leadership. Seek them out. Now let me add another side to this particular image. Certainly, when someone is being inappropriate, mean, rude, or belittling, you need not listen, unless it is your duty to do so. If it is your duty, then, as … Continue reading Be on the Lookout for Ways to Help Others
There are no innocent bystanders. When wrong-doing occurs in this world, your silence is tacit approval. If you witness inappropriate behavior, wrong behavior, unjust behavior, Assist others Fix things Stop something that is wrong Mobilize yourself to intervene It’s not just so-called Protection Professionals who should be adopting a protector mindset. It is equally important for us all, as World Citizens, to walk about planet … Continue reading There are no innocent bystanders
Hi All, Contact Professionals familiar with the teachings of Verbal Judo should immediately reflect on George Thompson’s great teaching on this point and the difference between respect and RE-spect. If you’re not familiar with it, go here for a perennial classic. If you actually follow the discipline of Verbal Judo, then you know that there are, literally, no times in life when you’re not showing … Continue reading Respect at all Times
Hi All, Read this nice article on the efforts of one particular school district to make their environments safer. Cameras are, of course, a necessary piece of a Security Management program. Be cautious, however, of over-reliance on them or, more accurately, mis-reliance on them, that is, blindly thinking that they will bring great prevention dividends. Don’t get me wrong; cameras are immensely valuable. Just be … Continue reading Camera Surveillance: Use it Wisely
Hi All, Call me crazy, but I have this far-fetched belief that a human being ought to leave this world a better place than when s/he found it. I fully embrace a belief and worldview expressed here by Horace Mann: “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” See this very interesting article about race-hate ideology, its many faces in America, … Continue reading Confessions of a Hate Hunter
Kindness is strength. This is so very true! One would find it difficult to source a better summary of strength of character (for anyone and especially leaders) than that of The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I said difficult, but not impossible, as a book fit to sit directly next to The Meditations is It Worked for me: In Life and Leadership, by Colin Powell. One … Continue reading The Dialectic of Creating Healing & Safe Healthcare Environments
Americans are traumatized by the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. As we should be. Take a look at Tess Mata. She is one of the victims of this tragedy. Take a good look at her. Note the innocence shining through her sweet smile. Sit with her in your imagination. Now ask yourself, “What can I do to help?” I propose for your consideration that … Continue reading A Downstream Addiction is keeping America’s Active Assailant/Shooter Phenomenon Untouched
Conflict Transformation & Ethical Guardianship 