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 …

It’s the Strategy, Stupid…or How Did I Get Here? DeMarco Banter…

I'm sure all the "old" folks out there recall the phrase "It's the economy, stupid." In the realm of leadership... we might look at this infamous phase in a deeper and slightly new light.  While on a U.S. National Level.... it appears to still be about the economy (more or less, COVID, etc)... but on a …

Resonance and Dissonance…and the sounds of leadership– DeMarco Banter

Think for a moment about a great leader you knew…or maybe know…how did he/she make you feel? Great leaders lead emotionally.  Leadership is not only intellectual; it is also emotional…great leaders ARE inspiring! Great leaders build people up…stoke their passions…and rouse their emotions…Relooking at Daniel Goleman's book Primal Leadership as we prepare a few projects at …

The #1 Leadership Quality or What Clausewitz Told Me: DeMarco Banter

Leadership Strategy- in today's world of "leaders" it is often quickly set aside, disregarded, or viewed as antiquated.  Perhaps it is my own baggage that I carry, but without strategy how does a leader know where s/he is going or where the organization is headed?  That said, there is still something unseen in a true …

Meeting the Future Before It Gets Here…a plea for today’s leaders… DeMarco Banter

"It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed." - Harvey Firestone Blogger’s Note:  This piece was written almost a decade ago—sometimes it is good to go back and review—has anything changed?   Recently, the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Mark Welsh, noted: "Now more than any time …

A Simple Man’s Map To The Stoic Path—Neo-DeMarconian Banter

A while back we started a series on schools of philosophy and we began with the Praxium or the Jedi School. Today we ponder the Stoic School. For the past several years now I have been studying The Stoics.  I first became interested from listening to podcasts by Tim Ferriss and reading biographies of George …

Three Things Organizations and Individuals Need to Thrive: DeMarco Banter

Recently I was listening to a podcast where a speaker mentioned the three "M"s:  Mastery, Membership, and Meaning.  The problem is... I listen to way too many podcast and I can't recall where it came from.  Of course I found several web pages devoted to the three, and in some cases four, "M"s--don't recall where …

This is Your Life… Are you who you want to be? AND the UFFE ELBAEK Model–DeMarco Banter

Another great song..."This Is Your Life."  It was a popular song by the alternative rock/Christian band Switchfoot, and their third single. "This Is Your Life" first appeared on the group's 2003 album The Beautiful Letdown and peaked at #30 on the US Modern Rock charts. The single also hit the U.S. Top 40 peaking at No. 31 ...but as I …