Leadership author and speaker
Leadership author and speaker
The military change of command ceremony is rooted in centuries of tradition back to the time of Frederick the Great. In the days before radio communications, the unit’s commander used his flag as a symbol of command and to signal movements on the battlefield. Leaders would physically hand the unit’s organizational flag from the outgoing […]
Planning is very important, but just like the surfer sitting in the lineup at some point you have to actually drop in and ride the waves. For leaders, this idea means we have to carry out the plans we make. Perfect plans don’t accomplish anything–implementing them does! That surfing maxim came home to me in […]
I missed the block. The defensive end was my guy to block and I missed him, so our quarterback, Louis, ended up on his back. Again. I felt terrible—we were already struggling and now I’d made a mistake that cost us another 10 yards and Louis some undeserved bruises. Finally, I couldn’t hold it back […]
Looking for leadership opportunities–and accepting responsibility–is a crucial ingredient to any leader’s character. The colonel looked at four squadron commanders and said, “The general will be inspecting the facility tomorrow, everything needs to be perfect.” Three of the assembled commanders looked at their feet, while the fourth simply smiled and said, “Sir, I got this. […]
The Class of 2020 is arriving at college this month, and so keeping with August’s “Advice That Sticks” theme, here’s the latest version of Dad’s Sage Advice for College – 2016 Edition 1. Keep Yourself Healthy You can’t run at full throttle all the time-be sure to maintain your mental, spiritual, and physical health. Don’t […]
I don’t know what it is that I’m doing, but I sure as heck keep doing it! – Gilligan If you’re a member of a certain “experienced” generation—ahem, mine—then you’ll remember a television show called Gilligan’s Island. It was one of my favorites, and there was often a lesson in the antics of the hapless […]
I’m pleased to present another excerpt from my book, Leading Leaders: Inspiring, Empowering, and Motivating Teams about the importance for senior leaders to do some things personally: In my own experience as a leader, I have often been surprised at how much impact little things have on people. Each year former and current students from my alma […]
Been too long Since I pointed the compass out of town Too long since I raced the sun It’s time to hear the engine whine And listen to those tires hum Like what you’re reading? Get more Patio Wisdom at the Lulu Store and at Amazon. Mickey believes everyone can reach high levels of performance […]
Life is a lot like coffee at work: sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, and sometimes you should just be happy to have it at all. Having some perspective on life and being satisfied with “who you are” is the cornerstone of Patio King’s wisdom. If you can’t be comfortable in your own skin, you’ll waste […]
Below is an excerpt from the hilarious and inspiring book, Patio Wisdom, by my brother Tony and I. You can get your copy here. While stationed in Germany, Tony attended the European Harley-Davidson Super Rally over Memorial Day weekend. It was Europe’s version of Sturgis, South Dakota, and that year it was in Austria. He’d […]
A positive leader is a real strength to an organization. In fact, learning how to deal with adversity and leading people through it is one of the most important skills leaders must develop. Some people are so successful that when they eventually fail at something, that failure becomes an existential crisis for them. Organizations are […]
I’m going to go stand outside so, if anyone asks, I’m outstanding. Like what you’re reading? Get more Patio Wisdom at the Lulu Store and at Amazon. Mickey believes everyone can reach high levels of performance if inspired and led. During his 28 year US Air Force career Mickey commanded thousands of Airmen, managed […]
If at first you do not succeed, then you should do it like I told you in the first place. Remember that wisdom is hard won, usually through a few bloody noses and broken bones. For the apprentice, the wisdom from the man with scarred knuckles could keep said apprentice from having the same scars. […]
Had a friend tell me long ago that I didn’t buy motorcycle parts, I bought patterns. I’ll be damned if I don’t hear his voice every time I try to buy something nice for my bike. Like what you’re reading? Check out “Patio Wisdom” in the Lulu Store and at Amazon. Mickey believes everyone can […]
The only things holding it together were grease and God. . ======== Like what you’re reading? Check out “Patio Wisdom” in the Lulu Store and at Amazon.
Always go big. Never even think of going home. ======== Like what you’re reading? Check out “Patio Wisdom” in the Lulu Store and at Amazon.
Don’t get mad at me for yelling at you: Go get something done. When you have a bad day at work, or anywhere for that matter, you have two choices to deal with it: get angry and stomp around, or get something done. I prefer the latter! You can’t control other’s thoughts and words, let alone their […]
Be very careful what you say. It might be what she said. Comedian Jeff Allen tells many stories to illustrate the old husband’s maxim “Happy Wife, Happy Life” (aka “Allen’s Law). Patio King’s Corollary to Allen’s Law refers to the good husband’s judgement about when to open his mouth and when to just let it go. […]
The pandemic, politics, social turbulence – all are challenges to modern leaders to keep their teams motivated and on mission.
My latest over at General Leadership: Hiking in Hawaii is one of the joys of living here. There are hundreds of miles of trails leading to natural beauty unique to the Islands of Aloha, but despite the fact we’re on an island, it’s surprisingly easy to get lost. Whoever is leading the hike has to […]