19 Jul ADMIRAL HYMAN RICKOVER: NUCLEAR NAVY “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” (T3) LEADERSHIP
I decided to step in front of the camera on this one! Check out the video below to learn more about how Admiral Rickover, Father of our Nuclear Navy, exemplified “The Three T’s” of leadership: TEAMWORK: Masterfully built coalitions with Congress and the Departments of Defense and the Navy to pass his transformational programs TONE: Maintained tough, exacting standards. “The more you sweat in peace, the less you’ll bleed in war” TENACITY: He was fond of saying, “Success teaches nothing. Only failure teaches” And the Admiral knew something about tenacity … his 63 years in on active duty service from...
18 Jul THREE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF BEING A MENTOR
I was a proud volunteer Mentor with the Severn Leadership Group (SLG’s) five-month program this year, paired with a Fellow (Protégé), Julian, from Deloitte Consulting LLP. SLG is a non-profit organization that’s been developing leaders of character, nationwide, for the past 10 years. The 12 Fellows in this cohort were mid-career young professionals seeking to reach their full potential. The Mentors are established government and private sector leaders. When I first joined the program, I thought the benefit would go all to the Fellow (Protégés), I was wrong. Similar to Shakespeare’s reference to the quality of mercy in “The Merchant of...
10 Jul THE ADMIRAL’S ALMANAC PODCAST: “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” (T3) LEADERSHIP!
I was honored recently to be interviewed on Rear Admiral (Ret.) Garry Hall's award-winning podcast, “The Admiral’s Almanac.” Gary and I served in the Middle East together during the height of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. He is an inspirational former Navy pilot, standard bearer of honor and has a sense of humor that’s second to none. We discussed “T3” leadership … it’s origins, its impact and its applicability outside the Navy. Listen below or keep reading for the podcast recap. TEAMWORK: The high-performing groups I admired most as part of big family, when watching TV and movies, as...
01 Jul THE “T3” LEADERSHIP JOURNEY BEGINS: INDUCTION DAY AT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, CLASS OF 2026
THE “T3” LEADERSHIP JOURNEY BEGINS: INDUCTION DAY AT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, CLASS OF 2026 June 30th was “I(nducation)-Day at the U.S. Naval Academy for approximately 1,200 young men and women. The vast majority of these freshmen, known as “Plebes,” weren’t born on 9/11. Over the next six weeks they’ll undergo a strenuous physical and mental transition from civilian to military life. For the first time in their young lives many will have no access to cellphones, internet, TV, movies or music! My journey of public service and learning lessons of leadership began during Plebe Summer in July 1979 with the...
28 Jun MEL BROOKS: T3 LEADERSHIP WITH A SMILE!
Happy 96th birthday Mel Brooks b. (Melvin Kaminsky). An iconic Comedians, Actor, Writer and Film Maker. A World War II Veteran and one of very few individuals to win the entertainment ‘Grand Slam’ of an Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy award! When I offer a light remark during a keynote address, it usually involves a reference to one of the gags from Mel’s decades of work. His inspirational style: TEAMWORK: Mel famously built trust, comity and loyalty with his fellow writers and performers. He envisioned comedy goals and worked hard to achieve them, selflessly sharing credit along the way fellow...
02 Jun LOU GEHRIG: THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES’ “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” (T3) LEADERSHIP LESSONS
Lou Gehrig sadly passed away on this date 1941 at age 38. One of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history, he was the first in the sport to have his number (4) retired. Lou died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is now known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Lou personified selfless service to teammates, incomparable optimism battling terminal illness and dogged determination to perform as well as he could as long as he could. His inspirational leadership style emphasized: TEAMWORK: More important than his Hall of Fame statistics, Lou was Captain of six Yankees World Series championship teams...
27 May UNBROKEN “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” (T3) LEADERSHIP: LOU ZAMPERINI
On this date in 1943, Lou Zamperini, U.S. Army Air Corps Captain and former US Olympic distance runner, survived his B-24’s crash into the Pacific during WWII. He then spent 2+ brutal yrs in Japanese POW camps. His inspirational spirit to overcome extreme adversity was featured in the amazing book and movie: “UNBROKEN.” Lou’s leadership style included: TEAMWORK: Patriotic. Joined the Army Air Force prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor in order to serve his country. Servant leader. Cared for others before self. Survived 47 days at sea after his crash with practically no food or water. ...
13 May DARING CIVIL WAR ESCAPE “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” LEADERSHIP: ROBERT SMALLS
On this date in 1862, Robert Smalls freed himself, his crew, and their families from slavery during the Civil War by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, CSS PLANTER in Charleston harbor, and piloting it from Confederate-controlled waters to the U.S. blockade that surrounded it. He then sailed the ship to the Union-controlled enclave in the Beaufort–Hilton Head area, where it became a U.S. Navy ship and he was given command - the first African-American to command a USN ship in our nation’s history. His example and persuasion helped convince President Lincoln to accept African-American soldiers into the Union Army. Smalls’...
11 Apr WWII ESPIONAGE [S]HERO “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” LEADERSHIP: VIRGINIA HALL
Virginia Hall was born on April 6, 1906. She was the most highly decorated American woman in WWII; awarded the US Distinguished Service Cross for actions in Europe against the Nazis. Hall was an American spy who worked with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and its British equivalent in France during World War II. She was an expert in espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance against Germany. After the war, Hall worked for the CIA. Her amazing story and inspirational leadership style included: TEAMWORK: Hall was a former U.S. Consular Service employee in several European locations during the 1930’s. After leaving...
23 Feb COLONEL DAVID “MICKEY” MARCUS’ “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” (T3) LEADERSHIP: “A SOLDIER FOR ALL HUMANITY”
David "Mickey" Marcus was born on this date in 1901. He was the youngest son of Romanian Jewish immigrants in New York City. A U.S. Army Colonel in WWII, he later became Israel's first General, fighting for the new Jewish State during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Whenever I reference “Servant Leadership” during one of my keynote presentations, I highlight Mickey’s devotion to his colleagues and the American public. Marcus was portrayed by Kirk Douglas in the highly acclaimed 1966 movie “Cast a Giant Shadow.” His amazing story and inspirational leadership style included: TEAMWORK: Mickey graduated West Point with the Class...