Month: April 2017

Unlikable? I know, right?  That's like saying cowards run from danger, or teenagers hate waking up early, or "yes men" keep their jobs by being, well, yes men. But there is a little more to the story.  We all have worked with incompetent people who nevertheless kept their jobs.  We have wondered from time to time how they were still employed. But then we would go to lunch with them and have a great time.  We would stop at their desk because that's where people hung out.  No matter what we might ask him or her to do, they would promise it and were "glad to help" (even though secretly we knew that the help would be late in coming if it actually came at all).   They have great…

In honor and celebration of the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942- 75 years ago- today's Cowardly Leadership will focus on Courageous Leadership instead.  Sometimes, comparing, contrasting, and juxtaposition are just as relevant and informative as sticking to the message. The Doolittle Raid If you aren't a World War II historian, then take a few minutes and watch the clip from the movie Pearl Harbor.  You know, that love triangle story that had some shooting in it.  The one where Alec Baldwin plays Lt Col James Doolittle who led the raid on Tokyo four months after Pearl Harbor. https://youtu.be/924lASpybZ4 The Real Story The movie is true as far as it goes.  We had Army Air Force B-25 Bombers on board a U.S. Navy Carrier loaded to bomb Tokyo.  It was a one-way mission…

I remember from my younger days going to church that one of the lessons was that no one is immune from sin, and everyone who goes to church is a sinner.  You don't go to church to prove that you aren't, you go to church to be a better person and to try and sin less. So it is with Cowardly Leaders.  I am a Cowardly Leader.  You are a Cowardly Leader. Everyone is a Cowardly Leader The point of writing a blog on Cowardly Leadership-Up Close and Personal isn't to say that I have never been a coward in a leadership role.  I have.  I have wondered what to do and have been timid in making a decision, afraid that it wouldn't be the right one. There have been times when I have failed…

First, I want to thank all the great people in Maryland at the MPRA Conference last week-the Cowardly Leadership session was standing room only, and despite the technical glitches was a fun session, at least for me.  I had a great time and hope to see you all again soon! Now, for one of the biggest challenges: Working for a Cowardly Leader So what do you do? You work for a Cowardly Leader.  He is a political appointee whose biggest trait and talent is saying "yes" to the boss.  Not only does he not believe in speaking truth to power, he doesn't believe in you speaking truth to power, either.  In other words, whatever you do, do NOT speak out regarding issues that need addressing.  Do NOT recommend anything that is not already…

Insecurity...and Leadership? One of the challenges of using Cowardly Leadership as the title of these blogs is that, by definition, it is in itself an oxymoron.  Yet, we all know people who meet the definition, so it nevertheless "fits."  In the same way, a logical, rational person agrees that insecurity and leadership are also very much oppositional concepts.  I mean, how can someone be, really, an insecure leader?   As I write about personal examples I have seen,  and research traits of cowardly leaders, a few commonalities become clear.  I've written about many of these, and I encourage you to look through the archives and read (or re-read) to have an idea of some of what Cowardly Leaders do:  abdication of power, the "know-it-all" mentality, hubris and infallibility, and others.  Those who…

  I am spreading the gospel of Cowardly Leadership at the Maryland Parks and Recreation Association's annual conference this week.   Therefore, Cowardly Leadership is on hiatus. Look for more examples of cowardly leaders, and their actions, on April 11th. Until then, enjoy The Masters!