Nothing Changes on New Year’s Day…

It is probably just me...but ever since 1983--I seem to hear Bono's words...every single New Year's Day...and does anything really change...on New Year's Day? "New Year's Day" is a song by rock band U2. It is on their 1983 album War and it was released as the album's lead single in January 1983. Written about the Polish Solidarity movement, "New Year's Day" is driven …

Leadership Philosophy 101: Who Are You?… DeMarco Banter

An older piece I have been messing with for years... __________________________ Leadership Philosophy 101:  Who Are You? Every leader must have direction, a personal vision for where he or she is leading. You might refer to this as a leadership philosophy. Several of you might be thinking “I won’t lead a squadron, a group, or …

This is Your Life… Are you who you want to be? AND the UFFE ELBAEK Model–DeMarco Banter

Another great song..."This Is Your Life."  It was a popular song by the alternative rock/Christian band Switchfoot, and their third single. "This Is Your Life" first appeared on the group's 2003 album The Beautiful Letdown and peaked at #30 on the US Modern Rock charts. The single also hit the U.S. Top 40 peaking at No. 31 ...but as I …

9 (+1) Leadership Lessons from the Greatest Generation: Principles from Joe Urice and the Bloody Hundredth

by Joe Urice and J. William DeMarco One of the greatest honors in commanding the 100th Operations Group was the building the ties with the WWII veterans of the 100th Bomb Group.  This is a brotherhood of warriors in its purest sense….warriors from very different times, very different wars, very different aircraft…but brothers in arms to …

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 …