Blog

19 essays


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When Will We Get Serious?

In his 2011 article in the Atlantic , Tim Kane asks: “Why are so many of the most talented officers now abandoning military life for the private sector?” It was a good question. Still is, and applies to thousands of servicemembers who served in both …


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Snow Days Matter

Just yesterday, I replied to a post imploring organizations to think through how the pandemic, and in particular the new remote working model, has affected team members. We’re used to being told, “Do more with less.” Now that so many have retreated to their home …


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Trust Matters

We talk a lot about leadership and training on this platform … but if there’s one element that underwrites your ability to both lead and train, it’s trust . Teammates can’t rely on each other without it. Trainees can’t rely on a trainer’s advice and …


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“Vision” Isn’t License to Dismiss Reality (Part II)

We left off in Part I with a once-in-a-career opportunity. The chance to prove how awesome the missile operations community could be. My generation’s golden opportunity the make a better world for the crewmembers to come after us. Like my peers in similar units across …


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A Leadership Lesson on Halloween

What were you doing last Saturday? Halloween 2020 … an excuse for many families to get out of the house (maybe) and roam the neighborhood, small costumed children leading the way in search of treats coated in chocolate, caramel, or just layers of pure sugar. …


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To Be … or To Do

War on the Rocks “is a platform for analysis, commentary, debate, and multimedia content on foreign policy and national security issues through a realist lens.” Famous among their many pieces of international relations, security policy, and military operations, are a series of pieces by Colonel …


Teach

You’re Never Done Teaching

Think back to when you started out. If you’re military, think back to when you reported to your first unit. If you’re a civilian professional, then it’s showing up for your first day as a full-time employee. Doesn’t matter how big the organization was, doesn’t …


Teach

Building Your Foundation

Since we last talked, I’ve taken on a new role teaching and training a university cohort of about 125 students, freshman through senior, who are learning the fundamentals of leadership, communication, and decision-making. I’m also lucky enough to teach courses in history, team-building, and military …


Vision

A Personal Failure of Vision

You should know about the time I failed miserably. Well there are many of those times. But for this week, we’ll focus on one—my New Year’s resolution .


Vision

Why Lasting Vision?

We’ve spent the last couple weeks talking about the power of vision, both as leaders in a professional environment and as individuals. It’s easy to look at someone like Elon Musk who harbors vivid images of cleanly-fueled cars and affordable space travel and see how …


Vision

Thanksgiving and a Vision Come True

If you live in the United States, you may have spent half of last week (and likely most of the weekend) surrounded by rich food, even richer desserts, and a trove of family, friends, and acquaintances you may not see the other 11 months of …


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The Power of Lasting Vision

I’m always interested in stories of vision and focused leadership and their power to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. I just finished reading Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance, a book that chronicles Musk’s transition from a …


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Teach, Train, LEAD.

Welcome to Enabled Word! My name is Arun Chittur, owner and dedicated teacher, trainer, and coach. Whatever the reason you came upon my site, let me first say thank you . I hope you’ve found something here of interest … and if you’re reading this …