Can We Measure Leadership? DeMarco Banter

We start every year in our leader development course by asking students to define leadership. The answers are usually surprisingly similar—especially when it comes to our Army students—Soldiers can always quote the Army Doctrinal definition. The Army defines leadership as influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation, while operating to accomplish the mission and …

The “Enlightened Rebel’s” Guide to Empire: DeMarco Banter

Or…what would Sir John Glubb Pasha say…Part 1 History has much to teach and offer in terms of empire’s rise and decline.  Great empires of the past such as Britain, Spain, Islam, Rome, Persia, and Babylon rose and fell over a period of centuries. Even Niccolo Machiavelli’s 1532 signature work, The Prince was a study …

Do We Really Want a Mentor or Coach? Find Out With These 10 Questions: Neo-DeMarcoian Thought

There is a lot of talk about mentoring and coaching in the leadership world. I don’t think anyone can deny the power of a strong mentor—I know I am very fortunate to have mentors in my life still—even at what some might consider a somewhat advanced age. But there is something we all need to …

Podcast and Interview with Bright Insights Part II: Bill DeMarco and Paul Bright on “K” is for Knowledge

Part II of a two part interview with Paul Bright @Bright Insights. Thank you Paul for the opportunity to sit down and talk leadership, cognitive diversity and Star Wars. From the show notes: We continue on with Bill DeMarco's interview. Here we talk about his role in Air University's Department of Leadership, cognitive diversity, and …

Podcast and Interview with Bright Insights: Bill DeMarco and Paul Bright on “K” is for Knowledge

Very cool to be on Paul Bright’s “Bright Insights” Podcast—thank you for the invite Paul—wonderful to talk with you. Click here: https://link.chtbl.com/Demarcopart1 iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k-is-for-knowledge-part-1-with-bill-demarco/id1468714783?i=1000488364213 From Paul’s Show notes: I'm very excited to bring you part one of this discussion with retired Air Force Colonel Bill DeMarco, Chair of Air University's Leadership Department and forerunner of …

6048 hours of Vision, Mission, Direction, and Clarity: DeMarco Banter

I was speaking with a colleague the other day about leadership flaws…more specifically mine.  I struggle with patience (among other things), and was expressing that I have come to terms with the fact that it takes about nine months for a new leader’s vision to take hold in an organization. I really wish it could …

Have You Ever Seen The Rain? Or The Decline of Empire Part II: DeMarco Banter

Driving home the other day, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s epic tune “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” was on the radio and it got me thinking.  What is the song about?  Clearly it is the end of a happy time—but to what end?  A quick Google search reveals it is actually about John Fogerty’s brother Tom …