​In the last blog, I talked about the difference between leadership theory (an intellectual exercise) and leadership actuality (an application exercise). We have an abundance of theory, which has accomplished little, and we need much more actuality. I closed with a hint of what was coming in this entry - DmL

​​Two unrelated elements have contributed to this blog and its specific title - Leadership Actuality.  ​First, there are books. I love them and have a bunch of them. This year, however, I've set a goal not to purchase a book this year. Why? Simple - instead of reading something new, I need to apply the learning that I already have. This will be a year of revisiting things I have already read.

In our leadership series looking at Hebrew kings, we have how reached our 5th installment.  Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, had everything ready-made for a great reign.  His grandfather brought unity to the kingdom and peace by conquering their enemies.  His father oversaw tremendous prosperity as nations traded with Israel and he built the Temple where God would be worshipped.  Success was in his future - or was it?

So far in our Hebrew king series, we've covered three kings and are now backing up to get one that we missed.  Presently, these are the kings that we have discussed:

• Saul the Initiator (the first king who set up many protocols that other would follow); 
• Ishbosheth the Figurehead (the second king who was set up as Saul's son but he did not lead for long); and
• Solomon the Thinker (the son of David who, initially, desired wisdom more than anything else).

If you know Biblical history, then you can spot the king that we missed - David.  This blog will look at the man as how we focused on building others in life and leadership.  To learn more, continue reading on....

On Memorial Day of this year, I finished reading a Keith Grint book entitled Leadership, Management, and Command: Rethinking D-Day.  This deep-dive into every aspect possible of the D-Day invasion used the construct of tame and wicked problems to consider how each side prepared for and implemented their responses.  At times, the book was a slow moving read but, in others, it was a fascinating page-turner.  One particular section grabbed my attention and is the topic of this blog.  How does tank doctrine and production have anything to do with leadership?  Well, read on and you will find out.  

If you have been following this series on Hebrew kings and the lessons they can teach us, you probably wonder why have skipped the next Hebrew king. Well, I call it author's license! It makes perfect sense, in my opinion, to shift to him for some lessons to be learned and applied. Let's move forward and see what we can glean from his life that can help us improve our lives.

Far too often, people - self included - give up doing the small things because they do not seem to matter.  That decision, however, is short-sighted but is rooted in our "results now" culture.  Whenever we start or attempt anything, we always need to keep a long-term mindset.  This blog shares an example of when a little becomes a lot AND I'll be celebrating a little bit of personal success too!  Keep on reading...

Earlier this week, I shared a statement from my book on the Quotes page, with the promise that a more in-depth blog would be coming later.  Well, here it is.  If you have spent any time looking at leadership, you've heard comments that focus on what takes place when nobody is around because that is who you really are.  While that is true, I want to focus that even further and apply it specifically to the home.  Please notice what the title does not say - "leadership in the home."  While that thought is a small part of it, there is a much bigger issue at play here that looks at both the people and environment in the home.  If you want to learn more, then keep reading...

Have you ever selected a "word for the year"?  The intent behind that one word is simplicity and focus - its easier to remember than a long list of goals, helps you focus priorities each day, and (in theory) will be more readily attainable.  Many people pick those words out of routine but fail in keeping them (just like New Year's Resolutions).  In this blog, we'll tackle some thoughts on your one word while I share what mine will be for 2021.

I saw a meme the other day that made me laugh out loud. While not knowing who did this, we can all appreciate the sentiments behind the imagery.  Yes, 2020 - the year of "clear and great vision" - was a compilation of multiple messes that has left many people befuddled, frustrated, and out-right anxious with what the future may hold.  Will 2021 be a repeat or improvement?  Will things in 2021, as many are thinking, be even worse that the year just completed?  Honestly, nobody knows; however, we do hold the power of our lives in our hands.  Let's look at living life the 2021 way.