The Best Leadership Lessons Came From My Soldiers

By Brian Reed, MTI Contributor Don’t Be Afraid to Give Someone a Second Chance I was the recipient of this one.  It was Day 1 of Ranger School in October 1989.   One of the requirements for the Ranger School Swim Test was to jump into the deep end of the pool with your Load […]

Arete 3.16.24

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy Putin Says Russian Nuclear Weapons ‘More Advanced’ Than in U.S., Moscow Times Ospreys Cleared to Fly Again After Deadly Crash Despite Mechanical Failure with Unknown Cause, military.com A Nurse with an Amputation Hopes to Join the Air Force. A New Bill Could Allow Her to Do So., military.com Navy fires […]

Arete 3.9.24

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy 2 Airmen and an Air Force Recruit Busted in Large-Scale Prostitution Sting in Florida, military.com A Promising Air Force Officer Took a Stand Against Racism. Now, His Career Is in Political Jeopardy., military.com Retired Lieutenant Colonel Charged with Leaking Classified Information on Dating Platform, military.com Why are people blaming Yemen’s […]

Quickly Cull “Calculated Obliviousness” 

By Rob Shaul Calculated – “planned or contrived”  Obliviousness – “lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness”                               – Merriam-Webster You can give a slight break to people who are “Unaware and Self-Absorbed.” Their self-absorption is at the expense of others, but it’s […]

Arete 3.2.24

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy Why Won’t Arab States Support the Palestinians?, Politico Defense Contractors Are Bilking the American People, The Atlantic Ukraine, A Worthy Investment, The Hill In NATO’s Newest Member, ‘Total Defense’ Includes Teens and Retirees, WSJ Americans Owe Ukraine Nothing, RCP Two Years of War in Ukraine have Changed the Way Armies […]

How to Mature from “Unaware and Self-Absorbed” to “Aware Selflessness” 

By Rob Shaul Okay, you admit you can be Unaware and Self-Absorbed and want to change. “Aware Selflessness” is the goal. You’re strategically and tactically aware of the situation and ready to selflessly take the initiatve to act if needed.   This change takes intentional effort and time. Here are the steps.  1. Skillful Observation Start […]

The Stiff Liability of Unaware Self-Absorption

By Rob Shaul Recently I stopped by the grocery store for beer. Podcast streaming through my earbds, I hurriedly grabbed a six-pack without making eye contact and jumped in the checkout line. I felt the dirty looks.  Self-absorbed, I’d missed that there were 5 people already waiting ahead of me. “What a fucking douchebag,” they […]