Comments on: JUST a Great Case of Everyday Leadership http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/ A weekly stimulant for those who lead Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:35:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Donna Koppy http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44216 Tue, 13 May 2008 16:20:04 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44216 Dan, Thanks for this comment. As you know, my son is a Marine, having served eight years now and returned in April from his fourth Iraq deployment. Some six and a half years ago, as the country waited and wondered what the president might do, there was no communication of any kind from our loved ones who were deployed. The first deployment (for my son's Company) began in January before the war and concluded the following November. The 1/7th waited for over two months on the Iraq border and were the first ones in , or as they say, "the tip if the spear" during "the march up". We , and just about every other miltary family, had no communication from our son - until Mothers Day. I will never forget that phone call, my son's voice and the echo on the line. I remember thinking Radar O'Reilly's replacement turning the crank on the Army bag phone they used for the calls home to Mom and Dad. That was the one and only communication from our son during the eleven months he was gone until he called us to say he was back in the States. As proud as we are of our son and his service it was a surprise to us when he told us he wanted to join the Marines back in 1998. Our son entered the Marine Corp three months after his High School graduation in 1999. The follwing sums up the feelings for many parents. This is a quote from an email someone sent me for Mothers Day. The author of this much longer piece is unknown to me. "This is for the Moms who teach their children to be peaceful and pray and hope for them to return home from a war". I concur with your idea, the cost of war is huge. I would add another thought. Perhaps the cost of was is beyound our measure. Lives are lost through death and through the effects of living through a war. There are so many losses and sacrifices that very few people recognize. This is true for us and the people of Iraq. So we wait in hope that a new understanding will emerge and the conversation will begin soon. Dan,
Thanks for this comment. As you know, my son is a Marine, having served eight years now and returned in April from his fourth Iraq deployment. Some six and a half years ago, as the country waited and wondered what the president might do, there was no communication of any kind from our loved ones who were deployed. The first deployment (for my son’s Company) began in January before the war and concluded the following November. The 1/7th waited for over two months on the Iraq border and were the first ones in , or as they say, “the tip if the spear” during “the march up”. We , and just about every other miltary family, had no communication from our son - until Mothers Day. I will never forget that phone call, my son’s voice and the echo on the line. I remember thinking Radar O’Reilly’s replacement turning the crank on the Army bag phone they used for the calls home to Mom and Dad. That was the one and only communication from our son during the eleven months he was gone until he called us to say he was back in the States.

As proud as we are of our son and his service it was a surprise to us when he told us he wanted to join the Marines back in 1998. Our son entered the Marine Corp three months after his High School graduation in 1999. The follwing sums up the feelings for many parents. This is a quote from an email someone sent me for Mothers Day. The author of this much longer piece is unknown to me.
“This is for the Moms who teach their children to be peaceful and pray and hope for them to return home from a war”.
I concur with your idea, the cost of war is huge. I would add another thought. Perhaps the cost of was is beyound our measure. Lives are lost through death and through the effects of living through a war. There are so many losses and sacrifices that very few people recognize. This is true for us and the people of Iraq. So we wait in hope that a new understanding will emerge and the conversation will begin soon.

]]> by: Patricia http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44215 Tue, 13 May 2008 14:51:38 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44215 Another wonderfully insightful article about leadership and leaders today; thank you. This one is very close to the heart as this is just the sort of thing that I preach when I hear someone who says, "she's just a stay at home mom" as if that is not a job. Kudos for a very well written article about some of the most important people in today's workforce: moms! Another wonderfully insightful article about leadership and leaders today; thank you. This one is very close to the heart as this is just the sort of thing that I preach when I hear someone who says, “she’s just a stay at home mom” as if that is not a job. Kudos for a very well written article about some of the most important people in today’s workforce: moms!

]]> by: danmulhern http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44182 Mon, 12 May 2008 19:07:35 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44182 And one I forgot: held people's feet to the fire! And one I forgot: held people’s feet to the fire!

]]> by: Sharon Galligan http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44179 Mon, 12 May 2008 18:42:02 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44179 Thank You! I remember a job interview I had after having three kids where someone asked me how I was at multi-tasking. I said, "Well, I have three kids..." I mean, Duh. Running a successful family is administrative experience, right? Sharon Thank You!
I remember a job interview I had after having three kids where someone asked me how I was at multi-tasking. I said, “Well, I have three kids…” I mean, Duh. Running a successful family is administrative experience, right?
Sharon

]]> by: Jazmine McBride http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44177 Mon, 12 May 2008 17:53:35 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44177 Great article! We all need to be reminded of the role our parents play in our lives, especially the role of a mother. Thank you for reminding us that our parents were never "just parents". Great article! We all need to be reminded of the role our parents play in our lives, especially the role of a mother. Thank you for reminding us that our parents were never “just parents”.

]]> by: danmulhern http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44174 Mon, 12 May 2008 17:00:16 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44174 Gerald, I agree with the first half of what you say: Women have always worried about the young, and they have great potential, especially as they "ascend" to traditionally male roles of power. On the other hand, isn't it time for a new dialogue about men and peace and justice? I am happy to live in a world where I can express the infinite tenderness I feel towards my children. I no more want Jack or Kate or Cece going to war than Jennifer does; I no more want them killing others than being killed. So, maybe it's time more men stood up to the devastating realities of war. Iraq is a horror to men or women, and somebody - as likely a woman as a man - will likely comment on this blog that so many others would have died if we hadn't done this. To which I would say: just stop for a moment and count the costs of this war. Take a moment to try to imagine the anguish of parents and siblings and spouses at the loss of lives - innocent lives. Gerald,
I agree with the first half of what you say: Women have always worried about the young, and they have great potential, especially as they “ascend” to traditionally male roles of power. On the other hand, isn’t it time for a new dialogue about men and peace and justice? I am happy to live in a world where I can express the infinite tenderness I feel towards my children. I no more want Jack or Kate or Cece going to war than Jennifer does; I no more want them killing others than being killed. So, maybe it’s time more men stood up to the devastating realities of war. Iraq is a horror to men or women, and somebody - as likely a woman as a man - will likely comment on this blog that so many others would have died if we hadn’t done this. To which I would say: just stop for a moment and count the costs of this war. Take a moment to try to imagine the anguish of parents and siblings and spouses at the loss of lives - innocent lives.

]]> by: Mark John Hunter http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44172 Mon, 12 May 2008 16:12:33 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44172 Dan, I agree with you, and hope that public writers think more about how readers will interpret what they write. Mark Dan,

I agree with you, and hope that public writers think more about how readers will interpret what they write.

Mark

]]> by: Cathy Raines http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44170 Mon, 12 May 2008 15:22:29 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44170 Today's piece reminds me of a job application I read recently (I work in Human Resources). A woman who had been away from the paid workforce for a number of years described those years this way: "Director of Smith Family Household, 1990-1998" and then listed what she did in general terms such as organized events, resolved conflicts, led development. Today’s piece reminds me of a job application I read recently (I work in Human Resources). A woman who had been away from the paid workforce for a number of years described those years this way: “Director of Smith Family Household, 1990-1998″ and then listed what she did in general terms such as organized events, resolved conflicts, led development.

]]> by: Mares J Hirchert http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44169 Mon, 12 May 2008 15:03:39 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44169 I wish the Mayor's mom would talk with him! Or maybe the Mayor's dad? Who is the dad and where is he? I hadn't thought about the Mayor's other parent before just now. I find that rather strange-gives me pause. I don't know where the dad fits in but I do know that the Mayor isn't acting like an ethical leader so he is missing that model whether it is missing from his mom, his dad, his extended family, his wife, his church, his community, his circle of friends? I do know that the model of admitting a mistake and taking the consequences is not one he is getting from the President of the US-the highest elected office in the land. Maybe Christine Beaty is the model for ethical leadership now? Sincerely, Mares I wish the Mayor’s mom would talk with him! Or maybe the Mayor’s dad? Who is the dad and where is he? I hadn’t thought about the Mayor’s other parent before just now. I find that rather strange-gives me pause. I don’t know where the dad fits in but I do know that the Mayor isn’t acting like an ethical leader so he is missing that model whether it is missing from his mom, his dad, his extended family, his wife, his church, his community, his circle of friends? I do know that the model of admitting a mistake and taking the consequences is not one he is getting from the President of the US-the highest elected office in the land. Maybe Christine Beaty is the model for ethical leadership now?
Sincerely,
Mares

]]> by: Gerald S. http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44168 Mon, 12 May 2008 14:40:17 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44168 Mr. Mulhern, your article of a parent going onto politics reminded me of the importance of motherhood, especially in their fight against sending their children into harm's way for wrong and immoral wars. Mothers must unite to pursue a more noble world. I truly believe that it is our mothers who can only bring about a world without wars. Men or fathers are really boys at heart. The only difference between men and boys are the price of their toys. Guess what? Our most expensive toys are wrapped in nuclear weapons that can destroy our world. We can never leave the fate of the world in the hands of boys, aka men. Mr. Mulhern, your article of a parent going onto politics reminded me of the importance of motherhood, especially in their fight against sending their children into harm’s way for wrong and immoral wars. Mothers must unite to pursue a more noble world. I truly believe that it is our mothers who can only bring about a world without wars. Men or fathers are really boys at heart. The only difference between men and boys are the price of their toys. Guess what? Our most expensive toys are wrapped in nuclear weapons that can destroy our world. We can never leave the fate of the world in the hands of boys, aka men.

]]> by: Susan Glidden http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44166 Mon, 12 May 2008 14:37:07 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44166 A thought-provoking article, as always. Thank you for the good words about parents and parenting. A thought-provoking article, as always. Thank you for the good words about parents and parenting.

]]> by: Mary Grill http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44165 Mon, 12 May 2008 14:35:32 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44165 Hi Dan, Wanted you to know I appreciated your column so much I sent it to my mom. She certainly is the kind of woman you talked about and I like have opportunities like this to tell her so. Thanks, Mary Hi Dan,
Wanted you to know I appreciated your column so much I sent it to my mom. She certainly is the kind of woman you talked about and I like have opportunities like this to tell her so. Thanks, Mary

]]> by: TIP Lady http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44156 Mon, 12 May 2008 13:06:33 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44156 Bravo! Dan, Thanks for sharing with us the importance that mothers make in the lives of children! I think of my nieces Kristine and Kendra who lost their mother to cancer while still in high school. Mother's make such a difference in the development of children. Kristine is blessed to have her "G" who is always there for her; and the rest of her fictive kin who try to step in and shower her with that much needed mother's love and affection, Kendra as well. I am inslted by the term "just s mother" I assure you that being a mother is my primary and most important job and I travel in excess of 3,000 miles a month. I think Governor Granholm phrased it best when I thanked her for attending the funeral of Kendra and Kristine's mother. She said to me "I am here as Kate's mother (she had Kate with her) who is a dear friend of Kristine, not as the Governor." Talking about a Leader who has her priorities straight! She immediately gained the respect and admiration of all of us who were in attendance. The TIP Lady Bravo! Dan,

Thanks for sharing with us the importance that mothers make in the lives of children! I think of my nieces Kristine and Kendra who lost their mother to cancer while still in high school.

Mother’s make such a difference in the development of children. Kristine is blessed to have her “G” who is always there for her; and the rest of her fictive kin who try to step in and shower her with that much needed mother’s love and affection, Kendra as well.

I am inslted by the term “just s mother” I assure you that being a mother is my primary and most important job and I travel in excess of 3,000 miles a month.

I think Governor Granholm phrased it best when I thanked her for attending the funeral of Kendra and Kristine’s mother. She said to me “I am here as Kate’s mother (she had Kate with her) who is a dear friend of Kristine, not as the Governor.”

Talking about a Leader who has her priorities straight! She immediately gained the respect and admiration of all of us who were in attendance.

The TIP Lady

]]> by: danmulhern http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44154 Mon, 12 May 2008 12:58:07 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44154 Mark John, I appreciate the perspective you've given. I didn't mean to attack the writer as to attack the lingering foolishness of what had been a patriarchal society. I would be surprised if she had the intention of deprecating the role of mom - indeed, she might have been thinking "how cool" - but words matter. In this case just is just sort of unjust :-) Dan Mark John,
I appreciate the perspective you’ve given. I didn’t mean to attack the writer as to attack the lingering foolishness of what had been a patriarchal society. I would be surprised if she had the intention of deprecating the role of mom - indeed, she might have been thinking “how cool” - but words matter. In this case just is just sort of unjust :-)
Dan

]]> by: Jerry Bayer http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44153 Mon, 12 May 2008 12:57:46 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/05/just-a-great-case-of-everyday-leadership/#comment-44153 We have diminsh the value of our most important leaders: Parents, teachers, professors and other educators. In our country, those with the largest income such as doctors, successful entrepeneurs and CEOs are held in the highest exteem. A university professor holds the most respected position in most of the rest of the world. It's unfortunate that we put a price on respect. We have diminsh the value of our most important leaders: Parents, teachers, professors and other educators. In our country, those with the largest income such as doctors, successful entrepeneurs and CEOs are held in the highest exteem. A university professor holds the most respected position in most of the rest of the world. It’s unfortunate that we put a price on respect.

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