America forgetting lessons of Iraq, Afghanistan, general says in Colorado Springs speech By Tom Roeder

DeM Banter:  Another case of being "smarter than history?"  Do we really see a fight with China?  Or do we see more issues in the Mid-East?  I certainly know which one is "easier" to plan for..."H.R." McMaster...another great Hoover Fellow... gazette.com / View Original / November 24th, 2013 Herbert Raymond "H.R." McMaster, now a two-star general of some renown, returned …

Defense Senior Civilian Vacancies On the Rise By Sandra I. Erwin

DeM Banter:  So I've got a few resumes out..."what are we going to today Brain...????" View Original Defense industry leaders are growing uneasy over the number of unfilled senior civilian posts at the Pentagon. Many of the current vacancies have not been filled because the Obama administration has not yet named candidates. Others are positions …

10 Causes of Leadership Failure By Matt Laddin

DeM Banter:  Tracking success is obviously important...but knowing where the potholes are is pretty darn necessary as well...Classic excerpts from Think and Grow Rich, by Napolean Hill below.something to ponder on a Wednesday. http://www.business2community.com / View Original / November 20th, 2013 “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.“A leader is …

Appetite…Cravings…And Leadership –DeMarco Banter

Appetite ....what is it? Appetite: an inherent craving <an insatiable appetite for work> Appetite exists in all higher life-forms and serves to regulate adequate energy intake to maintain metabolic needs.  Appetite has a relationship with every individual's behavior.  Appetitive and consummatory behaviors are the only processes that involve energy intake, whereas all other behaviors affect …

Don’t You (Forget About Me)… On being a leader… on being a parent… DeMarco Banter

Well, why should I remember you? I love that song.  “Don't You (Forget About Me)" is a 1985 song performed by the band Simple Minds.  The song is best known for being played during the opening and closing credits of the John Hughes film The Breakfast Club. The song resonated among the Gen Xers of …

Report: Overhaul career tracks that feed general, admiral ranks By Andrew Tilghman

DeM Banter:  IF this could work...and IF this were the only thing needed... would the culture of the DoD accept it?  IF this could take hold... it is only a small drop in a massive bucket.  A couple lines that are of concern..."unconventional warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan have “distorted” the skills of the U.S. …

10 Qualities Every Leader of The Future Needs to Have By Martin Zwilling

DeM Banter:  Nice piece from Mr Zwilling....but I honestly worry sometimes about getting too "soft" in our approach to leading---that said, it would seem a leader could hit all the traits below and still be firm, decisive, and visionary... you think? http://www.entrepreneur.com/ View Original / October 29th, 2013 The reigning theory in business has long been that "alpha" leaders make …

Odierno: Developing Adaptive Leaders is Priority By Michelle Tan

DeM Banter:  It seems that Gen Odierno and Gen Welsh get this...yet movement appears to be non-existant (perhaps it is different in the Army). The Army has unveiled a leader development strategy, a comprehensive effort led by Odierno to bring back into focus training and education in leadership... as well as launching leader development forums ...and the USAF?  …