For years I did a block of training on “How To Deal With A Disgruntled, Dysfunctional, Toxic Employee.” Then, at one point, it occurred to me that I was doing little more than trying to provide people with techniques for dealing with, tolerating, legitimizing and further enabling abusers. Yes, abusers. Those who who lie; blame others; demonstrate disdain for rules;… Read more →
I don’t spend a lot of time with negative emotions. But, this morning I woke up feeling sad. I felt sad because a bit of what is right about our Republic is being chipped away by what is wrong. When lies go unchallenged, that is wrong. When emotions override facts, that is wrong. When myths and conspiracy theories become mainstream… Read more →
All I wanted was a place where a sweet, bright, compassionate, curious, courteous little boy could go kick a soccer ball around with some other kids. So we looked at a local soccer club sanctioned by an apparently reputable national soccer organization. We paid a few hundred dollars and were quite excited. We suited and geared up. We had a… Read more →
On Memorial Day, 1998 – thirty years after I came home from Vietnam – I had the honor of being asked to speak to a few hundred Americans assembled on a parade ground. I was asked about what it was like “ … in those days …” As I look back at that speech I remain proud that I told… Read more →
To those who misbelieve they do not have transferrable skills to allow them to work in other industries … I don’t buy it. Don’t be the one who puts your future in a box. – Taking care of your personal health and your family is transferrable; – Doing the right thing is a transferrable skill; – Helping other team members… Read more →
If you seek a leadership “position” or a leadership “title” because you want to be – or to be seen as – a leader you have missed the entire point. Inspiring others isn’t about us. It’s about them. It’s not about a title or a position or calling one’s self a “leader.” That is simply ego riding on the proverbial… Read more →
So long as law enforcement’s budget is in the “general fund” city councils, mayors, city administrators, county administrators, finance departments, county commissions and budget committees will continue to play political football with the highest and most consecrated obligation of government – the most precious benefit of civilization: public safety. I continue to hear LEOs up-and-down the chain-of-command in organizations across… Read more →
In an act of frustration and yes, anger, I posted something on my website, Facebook and elsewhere that could have resulted in a third-party questioning the ethics and reputation of a long-time, much trusted and beloved friend. Anyone who attempts to do that is, quite simply, wrong. Had I known of my friend’s other relationships I would never have posted… Read more →
Just as I thought. That so-called, “de-fund the police movement” has not truly caught on. It was a flash-in-the-pan media-circus moment and many of my friends and clients fell for it. So, once again, a lot of anger and worry and angst and victim-think from chicken-littles and hand-wringers and pants-pissers wasted on reacting and emoting and feeling badly and lobbying… Read more →
We need a new political party – the party of Americans. By Americans. Of Americans. For Americans. It cannot include seditionists, traitors, cult worshippers, insurrectionists, authoritarians, provocateurs, cheats, hypocrites, advocates of civil war or downright pandering wackos selling the soul of The Republic for a few sound bites on ad-driven media and a few votes from the obscenity that is… Read more →
First, a little Bedtime Story for all employees – particularly for those who might think this organization exists to give them a job: Once upon a time there was a magical place where ones continued employment and promotional opportunities were predicated upon their willingness to demonstrate more value-added in the workplace than the sum of the resources they consumed. The… Read more →
As I noted in the first installment of this opinion piece, I recently completed an online course provided by Harvard University entitled, “Introduction to Family Engagement in Education.” My initial intent was to continue learning as much as possible about how our family could improve our effectiveness as coaches for our son as he negotiates a different field upon which… Read more →
Greetings! Just a short note to thank you for your continuing support and trust. Without people like you I would not have a company. To that end, I’m pleased to pass along a 15% discount on ALL 2021 academies when purchased before December 31, 2020! The code may be used for as many registrations as you’d like in any of… Read more →
First, I hope that you, your family and your team members are healthy during this time. Secondly, I hope you are continuing to focus on Strategic Advantage! For the foreseeable future all our training academies will be online and live. I have been encouraged by the 100+ folks who have been through such training with me during the past quarter. They… Read more →
To my friends in Ravalli County – and throughout Montana … please put aside your unfounded anti-science claims, your victim-like lamentations about your “rights,” your purely emotional partisan snarkiness … and focus on your responsibilities to all our beloved other friends in Montana. In order to claim that you are, as I am so fondly inclined, “The Last Best Place”… Read more →
(Click on links within the text to read some of my related articles.) It could be the sunset for an industry … or the sunrise for a revitalized industry. Yet, unlike the timeless, unchanging behavior of celestial bodies, the future is all about choices, isn’t it? So, here you are – and, goodness, it isn’t like you haven’t been trying… Read more →
I am honored to know Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. He is dedicated to family, to his community and to his profession. When politics run roughshod over reason and integrity, when liars gain prominence and are obscenely blessed by the courts, when other elected and appointed officials stand by and do nothing … well, Sheriff Ozzie is the guy you want on… Read more →
One of the stupidest, most insidious, seemingly plausible things foisted upon employees and the public by too many Chiefs, Sheriffs, Colonels, County Commissioners, Legislators, City Councils, City Managers, County Administrators and Mayors across the United States is the notion of “do more with less.” What a stupid, stupid thing to believe and a stupid thing to say. It betrays an… Read more →
I am honored to be of service to Corporations, City & County Governments and Public Safety agencies across the United States.
May you, your families and your teams be safe and healthy!
