Friday, November 30, 2007

Leadership in Film

A number of courses and seminars use film, movies and television to express leadership concepts. The co-author of Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style, Raymond E. Foster, is collecting practitioner, student and academic input on leadership in film. Have you used film, movies or television to teach leadership? Have you viewed something in a leadership course? Or, have you viewed something that expressed a leadership lesson that you would like to share? Share your thoughts on Leadership in Film.

http://www.pokerleadership.com/leadership-in-film/

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Leadership: Texas Hold em Style


Using poker as analogy for leadership, Captain Andrew Harvey, CPD (ret.), Ed.D. and Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA found the right mix of practical experience and academic credentials to write a definitive book for leaders. Working together, Harvey and Foster have written Leadership: Texas Hold em Style. Most often leaders find they are given a set of resources people, equipment, funds, experience and a mission. As Foster noted, You are dealt a certain hand. How you play that hand as a leader determines your success

More than a book: A fun and entertaining journey through leadership that includes an interactive website to supplement knowledge gained from the book.
Proven and Tested: Not an academic approach to leadership, but rather a road-tested guide that has been developed through 50-years of author experience.
High Impact: Through the use of perspective, reflection, and knowledge, provides information that turns leadership potential into leadership practice.
Ease of Application: Theory is reinforced with real-life experience, which results in accessible and practical tools leaders can put to use immediately.
High Road Approach: Personal character and ethical beliefs are woven into each leadership approach, so leaders do the right thing for the right reasons.
Uses Game of Poker: Rather than a dry approach that is all fact and no flavor, the game of poker is used as a lens through which to view leadership concepts.

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Strategic Planning Reference and Resource Book

The Strategic Planning Reference and Resource Book was created by the elements of the United States Army and designed to familiarize you and help you through the strategic planning process in a step-by-step approach. It provides an outline for you to plan, organize and conduct your conference, document and execute your plan, and to monitor and adjust your strategic plan, as needed. While we recommend specific steps, we also provide options and alternatives that allow you to tailor your conference and strategic plan to your unique local conditions.

Download the Book
http://www.pokerleadership.com/strategic_planning_reference_resource_book.html

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Gates Earns Prestigious Boy Scouts of America Honor

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Nov. 16, 2007 - A local Boy Scouts of America organization recognized Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for his lifelong devotion to scouting during an award ceremony here yesterday. Gates received the "Citizen of the Year" award, bestowed annually by the National Capital Area Council. Since 1968, the council has recognized individuals who have demonstrated exemplary
leadership and dedication to community while serving as a role model to the nation's young people.

Gates earned the top rank of Eagle Scout as a youth in his native
Kansas. He also received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award before he graduated from high school.

Participation in scouting prepares young people for positions of
leadership, instills character, and teaches responsible behavior, Gates observed after receiving his award from former Army and Veterans Affairs secretary Togo D. West Jr., who also is a distinguished Eagle Scout.

"I know that I, personally, learned these lessons first in Boy Scouts, and have used them every step of the journey that led to where I am today," Gates pointed out.

Becoming and excelling as a Boy Scout, Gates said, helped to form his personality and character. Persistence, successful goal-setting and self-discipline -- character traits necessary in earning an Eagle Scout badge -- would well serve the future CIA director and defense secretary in later years.

"That early achievement gave me the confidence to tackle the increasingly complex challenges that I would face later in life," Gates said.

Leadership skills and an understanding of the importance of character and personal responsibility "are three of the most important gifts I've ever received, and I received them from the Boy Scouts of America," he added.

These traits of strong character are demonstrated daily by U.S. servicemembers engaged in the global war on
terrorism, Gates said. "I see these attributes displayed by the brave men and women of our armed forces who serve and sacrifice every day in battle against an unrelenting enemy determined to do our country harm," he said.

The United States is presented with unprecedented threats, Gates said, but he added that he's hopeful and optimistic that Americans also "face a world full of unprecedented hope and opportunity."

"Scouting provides the kind of optimistic, confident and skilled young
leaders of integrity who will ensure that we fulfill the hope and seize the opportunity," Gates said.

When he became secretary of defense in December 2006, Gates resigned his membership on the Boy Scouts national board and stepped down as president of the National Eagle Scouts Association, a position he'd held since 1996. In 2000, Gates received scouting's prestigious "Silver Buffalo" award for his service to youth on a national level.

Previous "Citizen of the Year" award recipients include a roster of past and present chief executives, including Presidents George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald R. Ford, as well as other distinguished
leaders in government and industry.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

CENTCOM Commander Attends Khost Leadership Conference

American Forces Press Service

Nov. 5, 2007 - Khost Provincial Governor Arsala Jamal and all 12 of his district sub-governors hosted the first Khost Provincial
Leadership Conference here Nov. 3. Also in attendance were Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, commander of U.S Central Command, key leaders of the Afghan national security forces, and leaders from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Khost province is recognized by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and coalition commanders as the "provincial model of success." Khost has accomplished more in the past 10 months than in the previous five years, and that is due to the trust and collaborative efforts of all people living in Khost -- Afghans and coalition forces alike, officials said.

Jamal is leading and training his sub-governors and
military leaders at the provincial and district levels to work directly with the people of Khost and in concert with the coalition units who train and live with their Afghan counterparts in all district centers in Khost. This arrangement has made it possible to remove the shackles of the Taliban and criminals and allow development, education, and security to flourish once again in Khost, officials said.

Army Lt. Col. Scott Custer, who commands the International Security Assistance Force unit in Khost, said Jamal wanted to meet with all the key players to help shape and develop the future of Khost. "This is a monumental day for Khost. The purpose of today's meeting is to build upon the strong relations among the central government of Khost province," Custer said. "Providing a forum for the sub-governors to discuss security matters with Governor Jamal and to create the provincial development and security plan for Khost over the next 12 to 24 months ensures continued growth throughout the province.

"Additionally, it provides the sub-governors the opportunity to share their methods of success with their peers and request any additional resources they may need from the governor to reach their goals. The responsibility is on their shoulders to take Khost into the next two years; the leaders and the people of Khost have ownership of their future."

Fallon praised Khost provincial and Afghan security forces
leaders for their collaborative efforts and commitment toward building a safer province. He encouraged all Afghans to follow this example. "I've come here to see Khost for the first time," said Fallon, who visits Afghanistan frequently. "I see the security situation as very good. I am very happy with the (development) progress that I see. I am very, very pleased to be in the company of the governor."

When asked why Khost was important to him, Fallon replied, "Khost ... is a great example of good leadership with the governor (and) the sub-governors working closely with the ISAF units to provide security and stability for the people of this area, this province."

The CENTCOM commander added that Khost is the model that all other provinces should aspire to. "I want to encourage the governor and other leaders in the region to continue with the good work because I believe that this is a wonderful example to the whole country of Afghanistan," Fallon said.

Several government and security force leaders said the admiral's visit shows the strategic importance of Khost to the overall security of Afghanistan.

(From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)