Like you said - the contradictory demands on the PMC inside the Empire of Lies make exhibiting these qualities in full essentially impossible, which is why most of us have never encountered them embodied in the person of anyone in 'leadership' aka management.
I found myself wondering, what does an organizational framework look like that makes these qualities possible? Very different from what we have now, obviously.
This may be an unpopular opinion -- and I admit that it's based more on my gut than empirical evidence -- but I have long sensed the General Petraeus was potentially one of those rare leaders, and that is why he had to be taken out with a honey-pot op.
This was a good review of the book and I appreciate how you personalized it to yourself and your experiences.
Interestingly - and perhaps in seeming contrast to what I've said publicly - I had many really good leaders throughout my time in the military.
Or so I thought.
They seemed to embody many of the principles laid out here. Regardless, at some point it seems that many of these "good" leaders decided to "sell out" to the organization (DoD). I don't necessarily think they did it consciously or in one discrete moment, but over time they aligned with an organization rather than truth. I'm sure they viewed the military as good and loyalty to it therefore as good as well, but because they were prioritizing things ahead of truth, they were unprepared to be disillusioned by the organization they set up as their pole star.
Thoughtful response, as I expected. I’d add Lincoln as a great leader, definitely Washington, as he gave up power a crucial time in our nation’s history. Trump had good outcomes, but I disqualify him entirely for the way he treated his people and for his lack of character and extreme NPD! All the best, Jamie
What an excellent review: Grant Smith just showed up in my email (9/26/2023) and am reviewing your blog for the first time. You are fine writer, and obviously curious, honest and well-read. Question: Which U.S. President’s throughout history do you believe had the optimal balance of executive presence as described in the book?
There’s no way to do this and be sincere but to communicate albeit indirectly that you are reciting corporate 💩 because you must. Then train for combat.
IF you can steal time back from the low rent criminals stealing your soldiers life saving combat training time by pencil whipping or using cheater codes for mandatory online training (pure criminal grifts) then do so, you’re not dishonest by Protecting your soldiers from scams THAT KILL THEM DOWNRANGE.
Your job, your duty is to protect your soldiers first. Not follow orders channeled through coward placeholders to enrich GOFO Grifters who’ve sold us out. No integrity owed to users using us checking their resume blocks and greasing their stock portfolios. They are criminals, you can’t arrest them, but you can lock the door. They are owed nothing...nothing good.
As for the 9 Executive traits; as yourself what combat veterans you know or serve with manifest them...or are they rarely passionate, mostly subdued, quiet? <<. There’s a difference between being confident and competent and holding your tongue because you know it’s hopeless, even counterproductive to speak, and that someone will get killed proving you were right.
Combat Veterans are quiet because in our system, they’re a challenge of experience and so a target of the non veteran leadership (which is most of them).
The Sociopaths aren’t facing danger, nor will they, wait for war and see - they ain’t there- so don’t waste time or opportunity.
They aren’t owed anything good.
Train for War. If it means deceit on DIE, fuck them, they sold us out.
The need for strong executive presence is highlighted all the more clearly by the obvious lack of it among our clownworld leaders, whose combined IQ is a tiny fraction of what Caligula's horse no doubt had: https://youtu.be/H6uingtAWbk
A good leader will inspire his men to follow him into hell. A great leader won’t have to ask, he will simply start walking, and his men will fall in behind him, without a word.
Thanks again for sharing thoughtful ideas and resources that will help improve lives.
It is disheartening to hear of organizations that have devolved into puddles of conformity, but sometimes they have to see the bottom of the valley, before climbing back up the ridge.
While I am no longer in a position of routine leadership/management, or leading high tempo teams when things went sideways, I will probably still enjoy reading the book. Occasionally folks still ask for advice from a guy, from "back in the day", so it may help others too.
Like you said - the contradictory demands on the PMC inside the Empire of Lies make exhibiting these qualities in full essentially impossible, which is why most of us have never encountered them embodied in the person of anyone in 'leadership' aka management.
I found myself wondering, what does an organizational framework look like that makes these qualities possible? Very different from what we have now, obviously.
This may be an unpopular opinion -- and I admit that it's based more on my gut than empirical evidence -- but I have long sensed the General Petraeus was potentially one of those rare leaders, and that is why he had to be taken out with a honey-pot op.
This was a good review of the book and I appreciate how you personalized it to yourself and your experiences.
Interestingly - and perhaps in seeming contrast to what I've said publicly - I had many really good leaders throughout my time in the military.
Or so I thought.
They seemed to embody many of the principles laid out here. Regardless, at some point it seems that many of these "good" leaders decided to "sell out" to the organization (DoD). I don't necessarily think they did it consciously or in one discrete moment, but over time they aligned with an organization rather than truth. I'm sure they viewed the military as good and loyalty to it therefore as good as well, but because they were prioritizing things ahead of truth, they were unprepared to be disillusioned by the organization they set up as their pole star.
Thoughtful response, as I expected. I’d add Lincoln as a great leader, definitely Washington, as he gave up power a crucial time in our nation’s history. Trump had good outcomes, but I disqualify him entirely for the way he treated his people and for his lack of character and extreme NPD! All the best, Jamie
What an excellent review: Grant Smith just showed up in my email (9/26/2023) and am reviewing your blog for the first time. You are fine writer, and obviously curious, honest and well-read. Question: Which U.S. President’s throughout history do you believe had the optimal balance of executive presence as described in the book?
I had one person in mind the whole read-- Jack Donaghy, lol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Donaghy
There’s no way to do this and be sincere but to communicate albeit indirectly that you are reciting corporate 💩 because you must. Then train for combat.
IF you can steal time back from the low rent criminals stealing your soldiers life saving combat training time by pencil whipping or using cheater codes for mandatory online training (pure criminal grifts) then do so, you’re not dishonest by Protecting your soldiers from scams THAT KILL THEM DOWNRANGE.
Your job, your duty is to protect your soldiers first. Not follow orders channeled through coward placeholders to enrich GOFO Grifters who’ve sold us out. No integrity owed to users using us checking their resume blocks and greasing their stock portfolios. They are criminals, you can’t arrest them, but you can lock the door. They are owed nothing...nothing good.
As for the 9 Executive traits; as yourself what combat veterans you know or serve with manifest them...or are they rarely passionate, mostly subdued, quiet? <<. There’s a difference between being confident and competent and holding your tongue because you know it’s hopeless, even counterproductive to speak, and that someone will get killed proving you were right.
Combat Veterans are quiet because in our system, they’re a challenge of experience and so a target of the non veteran leadership (which is most of them).
The Sociopaths aren’t facing danger, nor will they, wait for war and see - they ain’t there- so don’t waste time or opportunity.
They aren’t owed anything good.
Train for War. If it means deceit on DIE, fuck them, they sold us out.
The need for strong executive presence is highlighted all the more clearly by the obvious lack of it among our clownworld leaders, whose combined IQ is a tiny fraction of what Caligula's horse no doubt had: https://youtu.be/H6uingtAWbk
Great essay, like always!
A good leader will inspire his men to follow him into hell. A great leader won’t have to ask, he will simply start walking, and his men will fall in behind him, without a word.
Thanks again for sharing thoughtful ideas and resources that will help improve lives.
It is disheartening to hear of organizations that have devolved into puddles of conformity, but sometimes they have to see the bottom of the valley, before climbing back up the ridge.
While I am no longer in a position of routine leadership/management, or leading high tempo teams when things went sideways, I will probably still enjoy reading the book. Occasionally folks still ask for advice from a guy, from "back in the day", so it may help others too.