A Curator of Strategy, Leadership, Spirituality, and Rock and Roll…. "Changing the world…one "contact" at a time…."
Okay, so this song was never really a favorite of mine, but I can distinctly recall the first couple of times I heard it. The haunting tune and ominous lyrics were captivating and odd at the same time. Back in 1984, I was living in the Bay Area, and London and the UK felt like …
Continue reading "West End Girls: A Cultural and Historical Reflection: DeMarco Banter"
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is undergoing a transformative journey to address the complexities of modern warfare and maintain its strategic advantage in an era of Great Power Competition (GPC). The One Force Design framework serves as the cornerstone of this effort, unifying the Air Force’s approach to modernization, capability development, and operational readiness. With …
Maybe we just blame Starbucks? The other day, my son and I found ourselves deep in a conversation about the "death of the third place." As a good dad, I naturally slipped into professor mode, explaining how Howard Schultz and Starbucks sought to reimagine the third place—a welcoming space outside of home and work where …
Continue reading "The Death of the Third Place and the Decline of Empire: DeMarco Banter"
In times of geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological transformation, great ideas often emerge from bold attempts to distill complexity into actionable insight. The “18 Theses,” a collection of provocative assertions about the future of strategy, innovation, and global competition, serves as such a touchstone. Penned to spark debate and inspire creative responses to the challenges …
Continue reading "Shaping the Future: Leadership, Strategy, and the 18 Theses — DeMarco Banter"
As we step into the Christmas season—a time often associated with reflection, renewal, amazing grace, and hope—it provides a unique opportunity to consider the life and teachings of one of the most influential figures in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Regardless of personal beliefs or spiritual inclinations, Jesus’ philosophy transcends religious boundaries, influencing ethics, leadership, and …
Continue reading "The Philosophy of Jesus: Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy: DeMarco Banter"
Discipline often stands misunderstood as mere adherence to rules or rigorous routine. True discipline, however, reveals itself in the quiet moments when we choose action over avoidance, especially in tasks we dislike or fear. It is in these moments that discipline becomes not just a tool for productivity but a defining trait of leadership. At …
Continue reading "The Discipline Imperative: Lessons in Leadership from Philosophy and History"
Being a rogue is often viewed with a mixture of admiration and suspicion. In the traditional sense, a rogue may be seen as someone who operates outside the norm, who challenges the status quo, or who refuses to conform to societal expectations. Yet, within the context of leadership, being a rogue can represent something more …
LM Notebook Podcast on Veteran of a Thousand Psychic War Come on... any Gen Xer remembers the movie Heavy Metal! Released in 1981, this cult classic animated film blended sci-fi, fantasy, and rock music, quickly earning a spot in pop culture. With its vivid imagery, adult themes, and interwoven tales of dystopia and heroism, Heavy …
LM Notebook Podcast on Hunter's Empathy Introduction I recently attended an incredible seminar with the USAF's Pathfinder and Everest Programs at the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and was blown away by the talent and deep thinking within the group. One of the standout concepts discussed was Hunter's Empathy. From what I gathered, the …
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Sitting on my back porch, a warm cup of coffee in hand, I found myself immersed in a summary of Aristotle’s De Anima(On the Soul). As I sipped and read, the philosopher's discussion of the hierarchies of life sparked a thought: could these ancient concepts be applied to leadership? Over the years, having been not …
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