Retirement offers many benefits. For someone who spent more than a half century in the public arena, decision making has now become a parlor game of sorts. Each day I scroll through a dozen or more media sources in search of a story or two about something that relates to lessons learned during my lifetime…
Category: Management
“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”
“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Those words were written by English historian Lord Acton in 1887. In that same year, he added: “There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.” Over the years, Acton’s oft-quoted words have been interpreted to mean that a person’s sense of…
Select Your Team Carefully, and Listen to Them
Recent events in Washington remind me of how important this is to the success of any leader. See “Sometimes, Aides Save a President From Himself.” Early in my career I always shot straight with my bosses. Later, when I became a leader I always tried to surround myself with people who would tell me what…
More on Bernard King
More on Bernard King from Marvin West, retired sports editor for the Knoxville News-Sentinel, referencing the story in my book about clearing King’s eligibility to play for UT. Enjoy! https://www.knoxtntoday.com/bernard-king-eligibility-saga/
Know When to Speak and When to Be Silent
The Mueller report spotlights two conflicting faces of the highly-charged Washington political scene — secrecy and leaks. See “Turn in Your Smart Phones.” Ironically, both ‘faces’ are featured in the pages of my recently published book. – CES My debut into the world of politics occurred in late January, 1970. My mentor, John Seigenthaler, then…
Zadrian’s Commentary, Part 3
Fifteen-year-old granddaughter Zadrian, was recently inspired to connect each lesson (ie chapter) in my book to a Bible verse. With her permission, I share the last 16 her 32 observations. Enjoy! See Part 1 here See Part 2 here —————————————————————————————————————– Lesson 17: Know When to Speak and When to Be Silent Knowing when to speak…
There are No Secrets in the Big Tent
Note: Given the high profile media attention being given to release of the Mueller report, the thought occurred that this excerpt from Chapter 12 of my book might be of interest. – CES There are two fundamental truths that a leader must understand: (1) There are no secrets, and (2) truth is almost always better…
How Ignorance of History Undermines Critical Thinking
Six years ago this week, I retired and came home after 10 years in Washington. Behind me are 52 years of public service in three professions. The retirement years have removed me from the daily pressures of decision making in public arenas. My “fast track” today is family. At the same time, there is now…
Always Be Prepared for the Curve Ball
My post-retirement Washington experience defies traditional explanation and interpretation. My pathway to Washington was paved with early intrigue, surprise, irony, and gratification. It began with the call from longtime friend Mark Musick. As with most of my career moves, I did not see his proposition coming. Having just lost a race for governor and settled…
Zadrian’s Commentary, Part 2
Fifteen-year-old granddaughter Zadrian, was recently inspired to connect each lesson (ie chapter) in my book to a Bible verse. With her permission, I share the next 8 her 32 observations. Enjoy! ——————————————————— Lesson 9: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate What makes a successful leader is communication and timing. There is always a time to make a certain…