Patience is a virtue - by being able to focus on the long term we can get through the current pandemic with a firm disposition to do good. Dr. Joe Thomas discusses earlier pandemics and how the course of human history and culture were affected.
We discuss the how and why to building a deeper appreciation for the complexity and variety of cultures and the need for everyone to be cross-culturally competent. Being curious and gaining perspective about others' culture can make you a more effective and ethical leader. Clementine Fujimura (PhD) is a professor of Cultural Anthropology at USNA.
Acting ethically and making ethical decisions requires an awareness of others. How can midshipmen and junior officers cultivate the kind of emotions that help them lead ethically? Professor Mitt Regan outlines what constitutes emotional intelligence and how to incorporate it in your daily life.
The utilization of unmanned systems (e.g. unmanned aerial vehicles) is proliferating exponentially. There are many ethical decisions around the rules of engagement. Where do you start building the foundation for that? What does it mean to be "in the loop" and "on the loop"? RADM Mike Manazir touches on examples that detail these considerations.
Did you know that lack of quality sleep can impact your ethical decision-making ability? CAPT Ryan Bernacchi discusses the dangerous impact of chronic fatigue and suggests ways to proactively and effectively manage your mission when you are not at your best.
What is your responsibility as the situation commander during a crisis event? If you are a junior officer who must deal with a crisis response, what are you responsible for when communicating with your leadership, policymakers, and the public? Brian Kamoie, JD, discusses the need to tell the truth and maintain credibility, and understand how to “stay in your lane”.
Taking a risk while knowing the consequences because you know it’s the right thing do helps build moral courage. How does taking "shortcuts" lead to diminishing your moral courage? Andrew Ledford discusses how habitually taking small shortcuts erodes your moral courage while living ethically even when no one is looking builds moral courage. Andrew Ledford is an active duty Navy Commander and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology.
Trust is the glue that binds a society. Trusted leaders must have candor, competence and care. Professor David Luban discusses the “just right” conditions for developing and maintaining trust, and the concept of “having your back”.
Creating a climate that values active listening is the responsibility of an ethical leader. Speaking truth to power especially when there’s an ethical dilemma is the responsibility of the follower. COL Art Athens shares his views and a few stories about speaking truth to power.
How does a naval warrior judge whether to apply lethal force, and in what amount? LtGen John Wissler USMC (Ret.) discusses proportionality, rules of engagement and squaring with your self.
One way of being able to embody a stoic mindset means being able to focus on what is under your control and not obsess about what you can't change. It also means learning through experience and sometimes that means learning through suffering, and reframing that experience. Dr. Joe Thomas discusses ADM Stockdale's return with honor principle in light of stoicism.
Beyond practice makes perfect, you've got resilience. Making the most of an opportunity to do the right thing even for what might be a mundane opportunity sets up the ability to be resilient in the face of adversity or hard choices. Learn the importance of getting your resilience muscles strong both morally and mentally with Mr. Brad Snyder.
Ethics, integrity, honor. Are they same? They all deal with how you live your values personally and in your community of choice. Honor is both a verb and a noun. Find out the difference listening to Dr. Roger Herbert.
We explore that concept of a warrior and the importance of a warrior code. It's important to note that what is acceptable warrior code in one society may be unacceptable in another society. CMDR Andrew Ledford discusses a variety of types of warriors.
Dr. Joseph J. Thomas is the Director, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership and former Class of ’61 Chair and Distinguished Professor of Leadership Education and ADM Jay Johnson Research Professor in Leadership and Ethics. He is also a past Director, John A. Lejeune Leadership Institute, Marine Corps University. Joe’s education includes an M.S.Sc. from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, a M.S.S. from the US Army War College, a Ph.D. from George Mason Uni...
