Why Are You Judging Me?

How often have you heard someone proclaim, “Don’t judge me!” It is a phrase that is frequently used, especially when someone is feeling guilty about their behavior and decisions. This week’s topic from the Marine Corps leadership traits is judgement, “The ability to weigh facts and possible courses of action in order to make sound…

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Is Loyalty a Thing of the Past?

As I continue writing about the Marine Corps leadership traits, this week’s topic is loyalty, which is “the quality of faithfulness” to your country, spouse, family, or organization.1 However, is loyalty a disappearing trait? Is loyalty taking the same route as an outdated computer mainframe? Faithfulness is a cherished quality. I entered the fire service…

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Unselfishness

This week let’s take a look at the leadership trait of unselfishness which is, not “providing for one’s own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.”1 A helping hand or stab in the back? We all know two types of people. There are those unselfish individuals who are always ready to lend a…

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A Solid Foundation of Character: Integrity

Integrity is one of the fourteen Marine Corps leadership traits. What exactly is integrity? Noah Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, defines integrity as: The entire, unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; moral soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty. integrity comprehends the whole moral character, but has a special reference to uprightness in mutual…

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Why Do You Keep Interrupting Me?

The last two blog posts were titled, Are You Listening and Are You Practicing the Skill of Listening. This post addresses the rude and inconsiderate behavior of interrupting someone else while they are speaking. Mark Twain said, “There is nothing so annoying as to have two people talking when you’re busy interrupting.” Two Examples Unless…

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Are You Practicing the Skill of Listening?

The title of last week’s blog was Are You Listening? Listening is an active skill, and the process goes far beyond staring at the other person when they are speaking. In his book, Situational Awareness for Emergency Response, Dr. Richard B. Gasaway writes, “The act of listening requires a substantial amount of cognitive horsepower.” He…

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Are You Listening to Me?

Recently, I had the opportunity to teach a class to a group of singles in our church and the topic was anger. I asked, “What makes you angry?” Some of the answers included things, other drivers, little/older siblings, and not listening. Not listening Why does this happen and what prevents people from listening to someone…

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The Timing of Decision-Making

The statue in the photo above is of General George S. Patton, Jr., taken in front of the General Patton Memorial Museum in Chiriaco Summit, California. Patton, known as “Blood and Guts,” was one of the greatest generals in American history and he knew how to make decisions. The Importance of Timing Most people won’t…

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Do You Want to Be a Successful Decision-Maker?

Think back to the last time you and a group of friends tried to decide where to eat. You asked, “What are you hungry for?” or “Where do you want to go?” Do you remember the ten-minute debate that ate away at your lunch break? Why is it so hard to make a simple decision?…

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Decisions: “The Most Difficult Part of My Work…”

“The most difficult part of my work is acting without correct information on which to predicate action.”¹ These words, written by Major General George G. Meade on July 6, 1863, capture the challenge of leadership and decision-making under uncertainty. Fresh from the Battle of Gettysburg, Meade understood that leaders often make decisions with incomplete information,…

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