“Learn from the mistakes of others. You’ll never live long enough to make them all yourself!” Sign on a US Marine Corps paraloft.
Learning & Mistakes…
Pride as a Disease…
“Now, as to the sermon – a proud and arrogant man, such as yourself – with an admittedly admirable quality of didacticism about him – was given to doing research in the area of a certain disfiguring and degenerative disease. One day he contracted it himself. Since he had not yet developed a cure for… Read More
Appreciate Each Breath…
“‘Catch your breath quickly now, while you may,’ he stated. ‘Breath is the least appreciated gift of the gods. None sing hymns to it, praising the good air, breathed by king and beggar, master and dog alike. But, oh to be without it! Appreciate each breath, Rild, as though it were your last – for… Read More
Fools: Power & Orders
“It is written […] that he who gives orders without having the power to enforce them, that man is a fool.” (Zelazny, 2010, p.77) Reference Zelazny, R. (2010) Lord of Light. London: Gollanz (an imprint of Orion Publishing Group).
Higher Command & Dealing Productively with Government & Allies
“But strategic and tactical ability, skill as a trainer, and reserves of physique and willpower are qualities such as lesser commanders may possess without satisfying the demands of higher command. There is another essential facility required […] it is the ability to deal productively with Government and with Allies.” (Macksey, 1975, p.213). Reference Macksey, K.… Read More
Loyalty is…
“…motto created by the venerable Generalfeldmarschall von Hindenburg “Loyalty is the essence of honour”.” Kenneth Macksey (1975, p.189) quoting Heinz Guderian (WW2 German general and founding father of armoured fighting forces). Reference Macksey, K. (1975) Guderian: Panzer General. London: MacDonald and Jane’s.
(Leadership) Fatigue Tends…
“Fatigue tends to be the fate of the ambitious, conscientious or the idealistic. It is really experienced by the astute, the lazy or the clever … who may go to considerable trouble to avoid the condition.” (Macksey, 1975, p.169-170). L’Etang, H. (1969) The Pathology of Leadership: A History of the Effects of Disease on 20th Century… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 