I recently finished reading David Byrne’s 2019 book "How Music Works”. For those that don’t know David Byrne is a well-known musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and principal songwriter of the band Talking Heads. In "How Music Works", Byrne shares his extensive knowledge and experience in the music industry and …
Grit in Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy: DeMarco Banter
Angela Duckworth introduced the concept of grit in her 2016 book "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance". In the book, she describes grit as a combination of passion and perseverance, and argues that it is a critical factor in determining success in life and work. She provides research-based evidence to support her claims, and …
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Going Underground and Innovation in the Rhizome: DeMarco Banter
Some people might get some pleasure out of hate Me, I've enough already on my plate People might need some tension to relax Me? I'm too busy dodging between the flak What you see is what you get ….. I'm going underground (going underground) Well, if the brass bands play and feet start to pound …
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The Biopark of Leadership: Black Swans, Gray Rhinos, and the Pink Elephant in the Room: NeoDeMarcoian Thought
Leadership Lessons of Bill Walsh: Discipline, Attention to Detail, and a Commitment to Continuous Improvement
As a kid growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area--it would be hard to not have at least witnessed Bill Walsh as a coach and a leader. Bill Walsh is widely recognized as one of the most innovative and successful coaches in the history of American football. Of course, he is best known for …
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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AI, Punk Rock, Innovation and the Military Culture
Punk rock emerged in the mid-1970s as a reaction to the overproduced, commercialized rock music of the time. It was characterized by a raw, stripped-down sound, DIY (do-it-yourself) ethic, and a rebellious attitude. The origins of punk rock can be traced back to the early 1970s, when bands such as the Stooges and the New …
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Band of Brothers and the Circle of Trust
By J William DeMarco "Integrity is the basis of trust, which is not so much an ingredient of leaderships as it is a product. It is the one quality that cannot be acquired but must be earned. It is given by co-workers, and without it a leader cannot function." - Warren Bennis Those who I …
AUiX (Air University’s Innovation Accelerator): IGNITE Talk, Montgomery
Many know—I have issues. I was asked to “talk about AUiX” at a local event here in Montgomery AL and of course I said yes. I was later informed this was an IGNITE event and there were “rules.” IGNITE talks are 5 minutes with 20 slides set on a timer. What could possibly go wrong? …
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Third Rail and Fifth Column Leadership: A Contrarian’s Thought
-J. William DeMarco “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” —George Orwell How many of us use the term 3rd rail or 5th column with no concept of the definition or history? I did, but after some research it appears to be a truly impactful leader, we need to attack …
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