Leadership lessons from the war in Ukraine

You may already know that our main focus at Diamond6 is to "learn from the past, to prepare for the future".

We do need to get one thing straight. 

The past is 150 years ago when we talk about the Battle of Gettysburg and the leadership of President Lincoln during one of the greatest transitions in American history.

It is 80 years ago when Pearl Harbor was attacked, leading to our formal entry into World War 2.

And, it is 50 years ago when the Watergate scandal led to President Nixon's resignation.

Leaders must also learn from a more recent past. 

Almost 12 months ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. This move was a major escalation in a war that has been ongoing since 2014.

Nearly one year after this brazen move by Russian president Vladimir Putin, over 9,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, to include 500 children.

The world has also gotten a front row seat to the slow and steady crumbling of the Russian leader whose "iron fist" is experiencing a fight he did not expect, from Ukraine, the world, and increasingly, his own citizens.

Jeff is now offering the seminar, Leadership Lessons from the War in Ukraine to our clients. 

This can be a single presentation done in-person or virtually. It can also be part of a larger workshop. 

In this presentation Jeff uses current events in the war in Ukraine, stories from history, and thought-provoking questions to highlight and explain irrefutable leadership lessons that are critical for corporate, education, and nonprofit leaders to understand.  

Participants will learn key tenets of effective strategic leadership and where leaders often fail in implementing strategy. Plus, he identifies ways to create organizational cohesion and how to stay focused on what is most important, despite distractions.

Jeff also ties in his background in crisis leadership and the media to give participants a 360 degree view of the war, it's current impact, and future implications. 

This presentation was created due to demand. Clients in education, agriculture, and in business have been asking Jeff his thoughts and insights on this very topic. 

Understanding this recent past can help leaders at all levels prepare for the future. 

Interested? Feel free to send us an email to info@diamondsixleadership.comand we can send you more information.

[VIDEO] What happens after the super bowl?

We're less than two weeks away from the 2023 Super Bowl signaling the end of the football season. 

Here in Central Pennsylvania Eagles fans are thrilled to watch their team face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on February 12th. 

Of course we won't pass up this opportunity to marry football and leadership, once again. 

Three years ago we shared a post and VIDEO about leadership vs. management using Coach Garrett, former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, as a mini case study. 

While a seemingly simple concept, the difference between leadership and management often causes even the most senior person to stumble.

The consequences of not understanding and acting upon this difference can be costly - for leaders and organizations. 

In the NFL the consequence for your organization not being successful means losing your job as a coach. 

At the core of these difficult decisions often lies this important difference of leadership vs. management. 

As one coach put it, management is about dealing with data, like the things you can measure: how fast a football player can run, if he’s a lineman how much you can lift, how high you can leap if you’re a wide receiver.

Leadership is about heartbeat. How does a coach get his player inspired to play for the name on the front of the jersey rather than the name on the back. 

Want to see Jeff's video where he goes into greater detail about leadership vs management? CLICK HERE for the full article and the video. 

At Diamond6 we are incredibly impressed by the leadership displayed by Coach McDermott, both teams and organization, the medical professionals, and everyone involved in getting Damar Hamlin the help and support needed. May we continue to see such great examples of leadership and be inspired to lead with the same grace, integrity, and empathy.

81 years later...what we can learn from Pearl Harbor

On December 7th 1941, the Attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point in the history of our nation and the world.

The war that followed lasted nearly four years, and the entire nation mobilized to meet this challenge.

But ultimately it was leadership at all levels, exhibited initially on this Sunday morning in Hawaii that allowed America to be successful.

Today, is the 81st Anniversary of the attack.

Here at Diamond6 we frequently use this event as a historical case study for workshops. Sometimes in a classroom, sometimes aboard a ship, and if we're lucky, even in Hawaii.

To commemorate this important day we want to take you back in time to a blog post we wrote for the 75th anniversary, in 2016. 

Just goes to show, leadership lessons from history are enduring!

As we reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the brave servicemen on that day, what can we discern about the actions of their leaders?

And what can we learn about leadership in a complex, rapidly evolving, high-pressure environment like the one we are living and working in today?
 

While there are innumerable leadership lessons that can be drawn from this event we have three examples.

They are as follows: 

• Leaders must act in a crisis and feel empowered to act.

• Leaders must challenge assumptions particularly during changing times.

• Leaders must promote organizational resilience.

CLICK HERE to read the full blog post, including brief stories about each of these examples that further illustrate their importance. 

This meeting changes everything for Diamond6, every time.

In two weeks our team will be having one of the most important meetings of the year. 

And, we've been having this exact meeting every year since the beginning of our company. 

We call it our end-of-year debrief. (Yes, we use some pretty snazzy names around here 😂)

It is our opportunity to review the past year and all areas of the business. 

We review our finances. 

We look at our marketing and communications. 

We talk about the workshops and events we've run.

We discuss what worked and what didn't. 

We decide what to keep the same, what to change, and how we can do better next year. 

We give each person (including our interns!) the opportunity to share their perspective and give constructive feedback. 

We eat, we laugh, we agree on a lot, and we may even disagree on a few things. 
 

Hands down, THIS meeting makes our team stronger, and Diamond6 better for our clients!

This is how we do it:

1. EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE: Each person on our team is responsible for bringing their "bucket of stuff" to the meeting. This means, each of us writes a list of our areas of responsibility, the current status of those areas, AND any changes, if any, they think need to be made. We create a master document where each person adds their "bucket." This way everyone can see what what is planning on being discussed. This might help remind someone else of a task or item to bring for discussion. Or, start to spark some new ideas to suggest at the meeting. We're a small business, there are no secrets!
   

2. EVERYONE SHARES: We take turns giving each person an opportunity to share and discus their list and recommendations. Our most senior staff goes last. Why? Because most often our team members will cover 90% of the areas we want to discuss anyway AND (newsflash!), they are often more informed than an owner or executive. It keeps us focused on each persons area of responsibility rather than jumping around from topic to topic.
   

3. EVERYONE IS RESPECTFUL: This should go without saying....this is a respectful meeting. Sure, there may be disagreements or different perspectives on HOW to solve a particular issue or challenge. But, at the end of the day we focus on what is most important - what is best for our clients and the business. This helps us focus on problem-solving and coming up with creative solutions.
   

4. EVERYONE GETS TO WORK: During our meeting we use our master list to take notes, capture decisions we've made, changes to implement, and so on. After the meeting this document is cleaned up and then each person has their "to-do list" for their particular area of responsibility. This helps hold each of us accountable - to the list and each other. Plus, it ensures we follow through on continuously making Diamond6 the best business it can be for you, our clients!

As you can see, our end-of-year debrief is a very collaborative meeting. It is only with everyone's inputs, talents, and creativity that we can do what we do.

This is what makes us a small, but VERY mighty team.

And, it is the best way to get a pulse on all areas of the business, celebrate the past year, and feel motivated for the next year.

Do you have an end-of-year debrief at your organization? Why or why not? What is it like and do you find it helpful?

Putin aggression against Ukraine

It is critical for leaders to stay informed about current events. Even, when it feels like what is happening halfway around the globe has no impact on us.

Because, what is happening thousands of miles away DOES and WILL have an effect on us.

And, we can always learn from other leaders - good and bad.

Jeff was recently interviewed by the Strategic Studies Institute regarding Vladimir Putin choosing a path of escalation in his unnecessary war of aggression agains the Ukraine.

The interview is based on an article Jeff wrote in the US Army War College Quarterly publication, Parameters. We've included links to both the article and podcast below.

It is imperative Western policymakers know the consequences and how he might escalate further.

In this podcast Jeff examines recent events on the battlefield; the implications of the announced annexation of territory, mobilization of forces, and threats to employ “all means” to defend Russian territory.

Jeff also discusses the domestic ramifications and Russian thinking on “hybrid warfare” and the possible weaponization of food and energy as Putin determines future escalatory steps.

SSI's goal with this podcast is to assist American and European leaders in determining policies to deal with the ongoing crisis at this moment and prepare for an uncertain future.

We believe that our Diamond6 leadership circle can also greatly benefit from what Jeff shares in this interview.

Even the most seasoned leaders need reminders now and again

Even the most seasoned leaders need reminders now and again.

It's important to take a minute every now and then, look closely at how we're doing, and notice where we may need to make some improvements.

One leadership mistake we see leaders making again and again, no matter how experienced they may be, is confusing leadership and management.

I'm sure you KNOW they're different and even HOW they differ.

The challenge lies when we move into greater levels of responsibility and we have to transition out of managing and into leading.

The transition from managing to leading can be incredibly difficult.

And, if not done with clear intention can stop a good leader to becoming a great one.

For those who have been in a clear leadership role for a while, it can be difficult to not veer to far off into management-land every now and again.

Leadership and management are critical to the success of your organization when each is given the opportunity to fully focus on their area of expertise.

Peter Drucker reminds us in this succinct quote: "Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things."

Check out our article, "It's Time to Stop Confusing Leadership and Management" to read how to spot the difference.

And then I challenge you to do a little "leadership vs management self check."

Cool pics from Diamond6!

We're still here!

Things have been hectic here at Diamond6 so the newsletter has gotten a bit of a break. 

In past years we would be coming upon our slow season here. 

Not so much now!

The D6 train is still chugging along right through the fall here. 

A few sneak peek pics to share what we've been up to.

And, if you have some pics to share with us from an event you attended this past year, please share it with us on our Facebook page!

CLICK HERE to find us on Facebook, like us (if you don't already!), and share your favorite workshop photo with us. We would love to see them!

Our office manager and event coordinator, Holly Tiley takes such good care of us AND our clients. We'd be lost without her!

Now, people can find our building a little better because she surprised Jeff with a shiny new sign for our building. Our old one was looking a little shabby. Thank you Holly for always taking care of even the smallest details to keep us running smoothly!

Diamond6 received a warm welcome from the Inn at Herr Ridge for our end of day dinner and discussion with the American Farm Bureau. We frequently use this historical restaurant in Gettysburg for our clients which was a major stop on the underground railroad and the first confederate hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg.

We received this wonderful email from a participant who joined us for a Gettysburg Leadership Workshop a few weeks ago. Always gratifying to hear how leaders are "learning from the past to prepare for the future."

"This was the best leadership training I have EVER received. It made me think about myself as a leader and the specific skills I need to work on, like being a better decision maker and always thinking with an innovative mind. I have started reading your book and really enjoy it!" - Megan Richner

The party's over.

We hope you had a wonderful and relaxing 4th of July weekend!

And now the party's over.

The grills have cooled down.

The fireworks shows have gone up in smoke.

The hot dogs, baked beans, chips, and watermelon have been eaten.

Now is a good time to reflect on this summer holiday that made us the country we are today....and hope to be in the future.

All organizations have a culture that defines them and they follow a mission and vision. And, the United States is no different.

Celebrating the 4th of July is part of our organizational culture.

It is an opportunity to reflect on our countries mission and vision.

The preamble of the Declaration of Independence states;

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness.

Separating from England, "the mother country," threatened American's sense of security, economic stability, and identity. Asserting our independence and securing it for posterity was the mission.

Are we living up to this mission?

Just like any organization, it is important to consider a vision for the future as well.

The founders refined our vision in the preamble of the United States Constitution. It states,

We the people of the United States, to form a more perfect Union....

Visions are aspirational, and young America was full of aspiration!

Our founders believed that growth and change was necessary.

Striving to know better, do better, and be better is part of who we are as Americans.

Are we living up to this vision?

In his 2018 book, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, Jon Meacham writes,

To know what has come before is to be armed against despair. If the men and women of the past, with all their flaws and limitations and ambitions and appetites, could press on through ignorance and superstition, racism and sexism, selfishness and greed, to create a freer, stronger nation, then perhaps we, too, can right wrongs and take another step toward that most enchanting and elusive destinations: a more perfect Union.

On this week after our 4th of July holiday, where we celebrated our independence, our mission of equality, and vision to embrace change for the better, let's reflect if we are living up to what our founding fathers set before us - as individuals and a nation.

Our Summer Reading List

Summer is finally upon us. 

Schools are out, vacations are starting. 

It's time to read a few books!

We asked a few of our faculty members to provide us with book recommendations to create a short summer reading list. 

As you may expect, these are not your typical beach reads! 

Leadership, business, personal development, and history are always trending on Diamond6 bookshelves. 

Do you have a book you would recommend to us?

Comment below and let us know what it is AND why you recommend it. 

Maybe we'll do a Diamond6 readers’ list next!

First Friends; The Powerful, Unsung, and Unelected People Who Shaped Our Presidents by Gary Ginsberg
We often talk about leading the boss and that everybody needs somebody. That is also true with Presidents and Ginsberg’s analysis is compelling as he tells the stories of these “friends” who were influential advisors to American presidents at critical moments in their lives and our history.

The Great American Sports Page: A Century of Classic Columns from Ring Lardner to Sally Jenkins by Charles P. Pierce
Not only are sports columnists terrific writers, they tell compelling and interesting stories of sports heroes from all walks of life with passion and humor. This groundbreaking anthology spans nearly a century of sports writing featuring well known and lesser known athletes. Easy to read and the perfect travel companion, this book This is my summer read and have also placed it in my travel bag so I can read a couple of these on a flight.

Flying Blind by Peter Robison
This book is much more than just the 737 Max. Leadership requires task skills, behavioral skills, and future skills. By focusing on just task skills, copying Jack Welch, and not understanding the implications of doing so, Harry Stonecypher and lesser lights destroyed the safety culture of Boeing. Note the destructive power of arrogance.

The Edge: How 10 CEOs Learned to Lead – and the Lessons for us All by Michael Useem
Mike Useem, a management professor at the Wharton School, says a leader’s job in a radically changing world, is “standing on a cliff edge, getting a grip on unfamiliar landscapes, and acquiring the skills for leading the enterprise into new territory.” Useem interviews and draws lessons from ten leading CEOs who have faced and met critical challenges.

Twilight of the Gods by Ian Toll
The final volume of Toll’s Pacific War trilogy. Toll’s telling of the events of 1944-45 comes up to the high standard of his first two books in the series. No one else offers as complete a treatment of the war. No one else assesses the leadership challenges and social upheaval on all sides nearly as well. This lengthy book and series are worth the time it takes to read them.

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
When not intentional, human beings begin with what they know. They may follow a process which does not fit the circumstances. Only when it is too late do they consider context. This book implores us to start with context. Examples like the case of Sandra Bland are powerful illustrations of how specialization creates conflict which can lead to tragedy.

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks.
Arthur C. Brooks tackles the challenge all of us will face sooner or later; that of moving from the ambitious striving for success at work that often characterizes the first half of life, to truly flourishing in the second half of life. This book is not about changing your diet and exercising more; rather, it digs deep into crafting a fresh mindset about work and life, and the importance of building connections and finding meaning as we age.

The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
Historically based on Britt Johnson’s life, this short novel is set in the rugged days post-Civil War Texas and the Indian Territory. Johnson, a Black rancher, undertakes rescuing his kidnaped wife and children and the wife of his neighbor from their Kiowa-Comanche captors. Jiles rises above modern stereotypes of the period to describe conditions and courage that make the reader wiser about the times and its people.

The Lightmakers Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy by Karen Walrond
In The Lightmaker's Manifesto, Walrond helps us name the skills, values, and actions that bring us joy; identify the causes that spark our empathy and concern; and then put it all together to change the world. Creative and practical exercises, including journaling, daily intention-setting, and mindful self-compassion, are complemented by lively conversations with activists and thought leaders such as Valarie Kaur, Brené Brown, Tarana Burke, and Zuri Adele.

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant
Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn. With bold ideas and rigorous evidence, Grant investigates how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, bring nuance to charged conversations, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners.

JEFF SET A WORLD RECORD!

Ok, let's be more specific.

He set a personal Diamond6 world record in number of workshops taught in a certain period of time.

But still, we're impressed!

Here's a quick summary between April 4 and June 18th. (Just 2 1/2 months!)

States visited: 8

Number of workshops taught (in person and online): 12

Number of participants: 210

Miles traveled: 27,100!

Can he break this record with all the workshops planned this fall? We'll see!

WE have a voice, it's time to use it.

The U.S. just experienced the deadliest weekend for mass shootings this year. 

There have been 245 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. 

Parents in Uvalde, TX have begun to bury their children and teachers after a gunman murdered them in their classroom. 

The community of Buffalo has laid their friends and family to rest after a racially motivated shooting at their local grocery store. 

Why are we just now talking about this in the D6 newsletter?

Because this is when we become complacent.

This is when we forget, and move on. 

When we accept this as our reality.

We cannot move on. We cannot forget. We cannot accept this as our reality. 

We are seeing the deadly results of a complete breakdown in leadership when it comes to common sense gun laws in America. 

Our elected leaders are choosing money and power over the lives of their constituents, and our children. 

We applaud Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for his comments after the Uvalde shooting during a press conference. If you haven't watched it we encourage you to do so. 

Other basketball coaches have followed suit. San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich and former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski have publicly called on politicians to address our gun violence crisis immediately. 

They and many other public figures are using their platforms to speak truth to power. We are grateful to these leaders for speaking out and demanding change. 

As leaders in our families, schools, and communities we have a voice too, and it is our responsibility to use that voice.

But speaking out is not enough. We have to DO something if want change to happen. 

We have been looking for an organization to support in this important work. 

We found Moms Demand Action. 

Moms Demand Action is a national, grassroots movements of Americans ("mothers and others" as they like to say), fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.

They pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. They also work within communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership.

Action is the antidote to grief, despair, and feelings of hopelessness.

If you are experiencing any of these feelings and are called to action we encourage you to take a look at Moms Demand Action.

Their work is giving us hope.

Below are three starting points that we found helpful in learning about Moms Demand Action, their philosophy, their work, and how we can support them.

How you can take action:

• Listen to this powerful interview with Shannon Watts, Moms Demand Action founder on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast (listen via Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts).
  

• Find a virtual or in-person information meeting and events to learn more about how you can get involved with Moms Demand Action.
  

• Donate to help their goals of pressuring lawmakers to improve gun laws, raise awareness about gun violence, and educate the public about responsible gun ownership.

Edmund Burke said it best...

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Maybe it's time for "Moms" to take this one....

DID YOU KNOW?
A few facts on gun violence in America

That firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in United States.

We live in a country where gun homicide rate is 26x higher than that of other high income countries.

Our federal, state, and local governments are spending a combined average of $34.8 million each day to deal with the aftermath of gun violence across the country. The total annual bill for taxpayers, survivors, families, employers, and communities is $280 billion. This is money that could be invested in public services to improve quality of life for all Americans.

Over one million ads on Armslist (the Craigslist of guns) do not require a background check for someone to purchase a gun. This has resulted in guns ending up in the hands of convicted felons, domestic abusers, gang members, and gun traffickers.

(Information from Everytown for Gun Safety, parent organization of Moms Demand Action)