During the past week, our team had an intriguing discussion with a base agency. I was reflecting on the reason why the work we were carrying out with a federal government agency located off-base in the DC area needed to be authorized locally before receiving approval there. To me, it appeared that we were effectively …
The Fox and the Hedgehog Revisited: US Strategic Thinking: Examples of Single-mindedness and Adaptability: Neo-DeMarconian Thinking
"The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." -Archilochus The dichotomy between hedgehogs and foxes, originally proposed by the ancient Greek poet Archilochus and popularized by the philosopher Isaiah Berlin, has been used to describe the contrasting styles of strategic thinking and decision-making. While hedgehogs tend to have a single, overarching …
Multi-Domain Warriors and Leaders: Thinking Beyond Multi-Capable Airmen—DeMarco Banter
The term "multi-domain warrior" typically refers to a military concept in which members are trained and equipped to operate effectively across multiple domains of warfare, including land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace. A multi-domain warrior is therefore a highly trained and adaptable warrior who can operate in a range of environments and contexts, and who …
Podcast with University of Cambridge Social Innovation and Bill DeMarco
Are social innovation and the military compatible? In The Social Ideas Podcast: the flight path of social innovation, Professor J. William "Bill" DeMarco, Colonel, USAF (ret) shares the work he and others are doing to bring social innovation to the USAF. Bill serves as the Chief of Innovation Development for Air University in Alabama.
The Mandalorian, Jedi, and The Stoicism Of Star Wars
Mandolorian, Jedi and The Stoicism of Star Wars Unless you have been living under a rock—you probably know The Mandalorian. If not—short history—he is a character in the Star Wars franchise, first introduced in the Disney+ streaming television series of the same name. The character is a bounty hunter who wears beskar armor and a …
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The Biopark of Leadership: Black Swans, Gray Rhinos, and the Pink Elephant in the Room: NeoDeMarcoian Thought
Existentialism Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy: Neo-DeMarcoian Banter
I’ve studied the Existentialists for years now and I continue pondering how to apply some of the lessons of these philosophers to today. So much of what they studied, wrote, and believed are a bit shocking, but as leaders we need avoid the preverbal tossing the baby with the bathwater. What can today’s leaders, innovators, …
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Enlightened by Starbucks? Good Ideas and Good Coffee…DeMarco Banter
It's a fascinating thing...something I have personally pondered from a long time... the thought that birthed Disruptive Thinking, Microclimates, and Leadership for Strategic Change. Did the coffeehouses in 17th century England lead to an acceleration in innovation and unusual levels of creativity? English coffeehouses in the 17th and 18th centuries were public social houses where people would meet for …
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Leadership and the Philosopher: A neo-DeMarconian Thought
“For I believe a good king is from the outset and by necessity a philosopher, and the philosopher is from the outset a kingly person.” —MUSONIUS RUFUS, LECTURES, 8.33.32–34 Should a leader be a philosopher? According to Plato, a philosopher king is a leader who possesses both a love of knowledge, as well as intelligence, reliability, and a …
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