The Next Greatest Generation Of Leaders

The Next Greatest Generation Of Leaders Part 1

September 1, 2011 1 Comment


Recently, I read the finest leadership article I’ve come across in five years. Joe Klein of Time Magazine wrote an incredibly inspiring article about the leadership skills of veterans who are returning from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. I think Klein should be considered for a Pulitzer Prize for this incredible article. To read this masterpiece in full, click here.

I am going to provide you a series of posts with the leadership quotes from the article. They will challenge and inspire you while giving you a glimpse of leadership through a completely different lens.
“We were trained in the military never to leave a fallen comrade in the field. But do we bring them home just to leave them alone? That didn’t seem right.” – John Gallina, Co-Founder of Purple Heart Homes
“Those Vietnam guys represent around 32% of all veterans, and they didn’t get anything like the support we get…there are so many people who need help.” – Gallina
“They’re incredible, some of my best students. Two things set them apart: they’ve very disciplined, and they’re really, really serious about their work.” – Dr. Elaine Kamarick of the Harvard Kennnedy School of Government on returning war veterans.
“The returning veterans are bringing skills that seem to be on the wane in American society, qualities we really need now: crisp decision-making, rigor, optimism, entrepreneurial creativity, a larger sense of purpose and real patriotism.” – Klein
“World War I was fought by large units like battalions. World War II was fought by companies. Vietnam, by platoons. The current wars ar all about small teams who have to interact with local Iraqi and Afghan populations. That has required a different kind of soldier.” – John Nagi, Chairman of the Center For A New American Society
“Captain Jeremiah Ellis essentially became the mayor of the town (Senjaray in Southern Afghanistan) – dealing with the local shura, providing security, asking the public about the kinds of development projects they wanted, funding those projects…It occurred to me that Ellis had developed the political skills to be the mayor of his hometown in Iowa.” – Klein
“When we return home, we work on fixing up every piece of equipment except their brains. Had to do something about that.” – First Sergeant Jack Robison, Co-Founder of Outward Bound
“These soldiers had to rebuild communities and make difficult decisions under pressure. They’ve had to show incredible flexibility, never knowing whether they’re going to be greeted with a handshake or a hand grenade.” – General David Petraeus
“They’ve been exposed to experiences that are totally unique, compared with most Americans. Once they’ve seen the elephant, they surely can help rebuild Joplin. I believe they are our next great generation of leaders.” – General Petraeus

I agree with you General Petraeus. The returning veterans are our next great group of leaders. Please return tomorrow for Part 2 of this incredible series.

http://briandoddonleadership.com/2011/09/01/the-next-greatest-generation-of-leaders-part-1/
================================================================
The Next Greatest Generation Of Leaders Part 2

September 2, 2011 0 Comments


The following is Part 2 of our series of leadership quotes from Joe Klein’s incredible article from Time Magazine on the leadership skills of returning Iraqi and Afghan veterans. To read Part 1 click here.

Enjoy these quotes and insights. They have challenged and stretched me like nothing I read in years.
“(General David) Petraeus was an amazing boss. Our mission was to defeat the military bureaucracy. We were able to build border forts, using Iraqi engineers and work crews, for one-fifth the price that the American contractors were charging in one-third the time. Our proposals went right to his desk, rather than through the bureaucracy. The only thing he demanded of us was success.” – Seth Moulton
“I can pretty much spot them (current veterans returning home) on site: fit, smart, confident, and strong. They look you straight in the eye when they talk; they can be funny as hell, but their language isn’t fancy.” - Joe Klein
“We’re a group that really wants to see America become a better place. We hate the divisive politics of the baby-boom generation. They’re running the country into the ground.” – Moulton
“I saw that there were other vets who favored the war and were running for office too – and I didn’t want to work against them. We separated IAVA from VoteVets. And I’ve got to say that if Pete Hegseth, a Republican, who started Veterans for Freedom, ran for office, I’d work for him. I’d work for any veterans running for office because I know their values.” – Paul Rieckhoff, a veteran and a Democrat
“They feel closer to one another than they do either political party.” – Klein
“One thing about the military was, it forced you to learn. If you were willing to learn, you could rise fast – so we all became avid readers, and we carried that through back home.” – John Gallina
“In the military, it’s never about you. It’s always about something bigger.” – Lewis
“The toughest part of leadership is telling people they have to do something that involves pain.” – former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens
“We had to do that every day: ‘At 0100 we’re going to stage a raid. The enemy is heavily armed and waiting for us. I can’t promise you we’re going to accomplish this without casualties. But we need to take out this cell of snipers.’ You just don’t find many politicians willing to get people to do tough things.” - Greitens
“I just don’t believe that politics needs to be total combat. I’ve seen total combat. I wouldn’t want to give up my privacy and expose my family to the craziness the system seems to require. My kid is not a prop. Anyway, most of my friends feel politically homeless. But I do believe that we have something important to contribute. We know how to lead.” – former Marine and current president of CNAS Nathaniel Fick

Yes you do know how to lead Nathaniel. Yes you do.

http://briandoddonleadership.com/2011/09/02/the-next-greatest-generation-of-leaders-part-2/
==================================================================

The Next Greatest Generation Of Leaders Part 3 – How To Build A Leader

September 3, 2011 0 Comments


This post of final installment of a 3-part series on the leadership skills of those returning from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The nine quotes listed below come from Joe Klein’s article in the recent Time Magazine. To read Part 1 and Part 2, please click the hotlinks.
“The main reason why I chose West Point over Yale is that it was a complete experience, not just academically but a serious challenge – and in leadership as well. You get real responsibility very quickly: in Germany, I was 22 and leading 30 people who didn’t have a college education. And I had to make it work. Most of the college grads I know who didn’t join the military don’t know 30 people without a college education.” – Liz McNally
“These are the most diverse and extraordinary people I’ve ever met. I’d love to see the values and ethics of the military spread into the general population.” – Dr. Richard Young
“People have the wrong impression of the military. It is extremely entrepreneurial. I had more freedom to make decisions there than I do at Citibank. My commander would tell me what needed to be done, and then it was up to me to figure out how to do it.” – Wes Moore
“We were taught to write a five-paragraph memo. I still use it whenever I have a major decision to make…Situation: What’s the problem? Mission: What’s our strategy for solving it? Execution: What tactics are we going to use? Support: What are the logistics; how may troops and what sort of equipment will we need? Command: What other organizations will have to be involved.” – Moore
“It’s difficult to leave the military and not come out bored. There’s a significant letdown, which is a big part of the psychological problems so many of us have. In civilian life, you miss the sense of excitement and purpose and camaraderie.” – Moore
“No decision you’ll ask them to make (in business) will be harder than decisions they’ve already experienced.” – Brian Stann
“There was a lot of looting and chaos (in Haiti after the earthquake). Other relief agencies don’t like those sorts of situations, but we’d seen a lot worse. We know how to do chaos. We’re Marines.” – William McNulty
“I rented a chainsaw, and within 20 minutes it felt like I was back in the service again (after the Alabama tornadoes). We shared a common language and knew how to organize ourselves to work efficiently…We’re used to sleeping on the ground; other people aren’t…Our generation of vets isn’t really into joining organizations life the VFW or the Legion, but we do have a need to share our stories and experiences. When we go out on these disaster-relief mission, it’s very therapeutic – and we’re doing something tangible and immediate to help people.” – Ford Sypher
“You’re a Marine captain. Figure it out.” – David Callaway to Seth Moulton on how to organize medical relief in Haiti

Leaders, figure it out!!! I hope you print out and save this 3-part series. The veterans returning from the Middle East are teaching us all about leadership. What have you learned from this series?


http://briandoddonleadership.com/2011/09/03/the-next-greatest-generation-of-leaders-part-3/