Writing

Social justice issues were starting to eclipse the pandemic in terms of everyday conversation. Trying to keep politics out of the military is an endeavor meant to fail. Regardless, I challenged my members to be apolitical at work while exercising their constitutional rights. Being in command is the most challenging and rewarding tour of a […]

While trying to build a sense or normalcy might appear straightforward it can also be rife with peril. In my writings I was attempting to connect with my members; to let them know that everyone was experiencing some level of disruption. While I did receive many appreciative emails where members’ shared their ‘new normal,’ I

As the fallout from George Floyd’s murder continued to disrupt society, the coronavirus also continued its rampage seemingly unabated. At times, it seemed useless to try and talk with people as the subject inevitably turned to the political tones of social justice and public health policy. Trying to keep folks focused on our mission, while

While the pandemic seemed to be easing, and local communities sought ways to establish a new normalcy, in other ways the pandemic seemed to grind relentlessly onward. Time wore on … and wore on everyone. Being in command is the most challenging and rewarding tour of a military career. My last US Coast Guard tour

Some leaders feel forced to exaggerate to appear relatable. In other circumstances, leaders are relatable enough but don’t feel they can be honest because that leads to vulnerability. An honest leader is relatable; a vulnerable leader is not weak. Leaders have to have built the credibility that allows them to be vulnerable when times call

May 7, 2020: As the pandemic marched relentlessly onward, the inevitable happened. The media, because humans are flawed creatures, began to diverge and spread divergent messages. Society was fracturing from being united against disease. Medical and social differences in opinion were, fueled by misinformation and entrenched positions, transforming into schisms. Differences are healthy and essential

May 1, 2020: Six weeks into the pandemic and we’re still discovering how lock downs affect everyday life. It seemed that society was in such disarray, dealing with covid unrest while trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy, it was becoming numb and fatigued. Many thought the curve would have been flattened at this point.

April 24, 2020: As the pandemic ground on people were starting to show the signs of many different stressors. From online schooling, to scarcity in the supermarket, to being told to wear a mask and limit contact, everyone was feeling stressed. Some folks were better equipped to handle the pandemic. Others were certainly not. By

April 17, 2020: A month into the pandemic and it was clear everyone was suffering. As a leader, how do you connect with your crew, share common experiences, to let them know you’re impacted, too. And without being pessimistic. Being relatable builds credibility which is instrumental when navigating challenging situations. Being in command is the

April 10, 2020: A few weeks into the pandemic and we were just learning how disruptive this event was going to be. And, unlike the many hurricanes we have weathered, there didn’t seem to be a known end in sight. As the shelves of toilet paper, bottled water, and other staples sat empty, it became