Book Recommendations
from Bret L. Simmons

From Bret's review: "I liked the book so much I might make it required reading for my next MBA class in organizational behavior. I neither like nor agree with everything Pfeffer has to say in the book, but he backs up his points with solid research, which I love. It has a few too many stories for my taste, but this is one of the best evidence-based books on leadership and management you can put your hands on, which is why I am recommending it."

Order now from Amazon!

From Bret's review: "Despite its flaws, it is a good book. It will make the list of optional readings for my MBA class this fall because I think it will have an impact on the students that read it. The book is very well written with excellent organization and a very conversational style. The best thing about the book is the numerous excellent examples Liz gives to support her points, coming from her years of experience as a top executive and consultant."

Order now from Amazon!

Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta: Honor, Humility, And Leadership

November 14, 2010 by Bret L. Simmons · Filed under: Leadership

I rarely watch 60 Minutes, but I’m glad I caught it tonight and saw the interview with Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta. The story of how Staff Sgt. Giunta earned his honor in Afghanistan in October 2007 is amazing. Lara Logan’s interview with Sgt. Giunta and other members of his unit is exceptional. I strongly encourage you to click here and watch this 14 minute video – it is worth your time.

Here is an excerpt from the end of the interview:

When Logan asked what kind of soldier he is, Giunta said, “I’m average. I’m mediocre.”

“This is only one moment,” he said. “I don’t think I did anything that anyone else I was with wouldn’t have done. I was in a position to do it. That was what needed to be done. So that’s what I did.”

“This is the single greatest honor that the military can bestow on its own. And it comes right from the president of the United States himself. That’s pretty good for a mediocre soldier,” Logan remarked.

Giunta’s reply? “Think how good the great soldiers are.”

If you watch the interview, you can tell that his humility comes from the heart.

Leadership and character is really not complicated and mystical. When you are in a position to do something that needs to be done, will you do it? That’s really what it all boils down to.

Leadership is not about “great soldiers” doing great things. It’s about average folks doing the right thing when it needs to be done.

Thank you, Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.

You should follow me on twitter here.

Tags: Excellence, responsibility, service, values
Posted in Leadership

4 Responses to “Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta: Honor, Humility, And Leadership”

michael cardus says:

November 15, 2010 at 8:50 pm

I also watched this interview and the line you quote above “think about how good the great soldiers are” floored me.
Leaders are average people doing the right thing when it is time to do it.

thank you for reminding me of this.

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I was very impressed with that guy, Michael. Never expected him to be so humble and wise. He blew me away. Thanks! Bret

[Reply]
Ajo Cherian says:

November 16, 2010 at 5:28 pm

Wow, what wonderfully humble words. The world needs more people who can be humble! Hopefully it wasn’t just for the camera, but only his close associates can determine that.

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I think he is sincere, Ajo. I’ve seen several interviews with him and he appears genuinely humble in every one of them. Thanks! Bret

[Reply]