The Ultimate Three Pieces of Advice on Command; NeoDeMarcoian Thought

Years ago I attended a Squadron Commanders' conference at Scott Air Force Base.  I always assumed these events were designed to make one a better leader when in fact, they are designed to enlighten a commander as to what the headquarters staff is working on to include the various “programs” available to assist warriors in …

Crystal Clear Organizational Clarity: 4 Key Components

The post also appears on the GiANT Worldwide blog: Organizational clarity begins with clear leadership and clear leadership begins with a clear, shared vision. Vision is so difficult because most leaders prefer to deal with the data-driven world of organizational intelligence. The problem is, without strong organizational clarity, organizational intelligence is attenuated. Simply put without …

The Paradox, The Unforgettable Fire, and Rogue Leaders–DeMarco Banter (Can you Institutionalize Leadership Development?)

Institutionalizing leadership development has been a topic that has taken up a great deal of RAM this past week. There is no doubt that leadership development is at the heart of a leader’s responsibility, but can we honestly institutionalize it?  Is it a paradox or a paradoxical situation? The Power of the Paradox In George …

TOXIC WORKPLACES: TOXIC FOLLOWERS Another DeMarco Podcast w/USAF Chaplain Corps

Another opportunity to talk with my NOW great friends at the USAF's Chaplain College--LtCol Matt Boarts and MSgt Kevin Dilley--these guys are amazing---highly recommend their podcast.  They have built this effort on the backs of their amazing ideas and a true passion for building better leaders--This episode focuses on toxic followers.  We hear a lot …

Machiavelli for the Leader/Commander—The Paradox: Neo-DeMarcoian Thought

For years it seems Niccolò Machiavelli had gotten a bad rap—he’s really all about paradoxical leadership—the good, the bad, and the various seasons a leader’s finds himself/herself in.  Consider this—Machiavellianism is defined as the political theory of Niccolò Machiavelli, especially the view that any means can be used if it is necessary to maintain power.  Is …

Leading in Permanent Beta: The Leadership Podcast with Jim, Jan and Bill

A great opportunity to spend time with two of our LEDx2.0 superstars Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos talking leadership philosophy and permanent beta. Please see the show notes below and the links to the podcast venue of your choice.  Thanks for listening. _______________________ Professor Bill DeMarco (Retired Air Force Colonel) holds 3 Masters degrees, and holds fellowships …

Doing Leadership or Being a Leader? …DeMarco Banter

As another class graduates the USAF's Officer Training School and we launch another round of officers into the breach of America's military--I know we are indeed training officers, but I wonder if we are really building leaders. Massive bureaucracies tend to only think of leadership in terms of action--as in...what can we measure?  What can …

Walking through Cambridge: The Pink Floyd Sound—Us and Them and Losing One’s Sanity—DeMarco Banter

I consider myself fortunate—twice a year I get to return to the town of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.  Walking the streets in Cambridge is always a treat and there is nothing better than grabbing a cappuccino at Nero’s Coffee right across the street from King’s College and just pondering all the historical figures that …