ARTICLE ABOUT SELF IMPROVEMENT

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with General Tommy Franks (retired), former head of U.S. Central Command, a role that effectively put him in charge of all U.S. military operations in 25 countries, from Egypt to Central Asia. In his role, Franks acquired a reputation for no-nonsense, practical leadership and genuine care for those in his command.

As commander-in-chief of U.S. Central Command from 2000 through 2003, Franks faced and overcame some of America's greatest challenges, from the attack on the USS Cole, to the devastation of September 11th, to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. A highly decorated four-star general, Tommy Franks led a coalition of more than 60 nations - and 250,000 troops - to victory in Afghanistan and Iraq, winning respect and admiration at home and abroad.

Franks has always been a student of leadership recognizing that the military environment presents some of the greatest challenges for leaders. Acknowledging that, "no one hates war like a soldier hates war," Franks – the "soldier's soldier" – recognizes the challenges facing military leaders in motivating and encouraging their troops during these disturbing times. Franks illustrates how the challenges facing his military leaders are similar in many ways to the challenges we face in motivating our own "troops" in our companies and organizations.

Likewise, leadership – in whatever arena – requires flexibility and confidence. As Franks likes to quote, "No plan ever survived first contact with the enemy." As leaders, it's not enough that we plan. Franks suggests that we must plan for "first contact" when our flexibility, creativity, and ability to regroup and redirect our troops is most important. In today's chaotic marketplace, effective leaders demonstrate this flexibility along with conviction and confidence.

Importantly, leadership isn't about grandstanding or hype. Tommy Franks –unlike his predecessor, "Stormin'" Norman Schwartzkopf – has been called "reclusive" and "a quiet warrior". However, Franks ISN'T shy; he simply doesn't believe that showboating and flamboyant leadership is effective nor does it have a place at the top. Effective leadership comes from seeing it like it is – from the front lines – and telling it like it is – from the heart.

Tommy Franks recently authored American Soldier, (HarperCollins, Aug 2004) in which Franks retraces his journey from small-town boyhood to his role as one of history's most effective commanders. Drawing on his own memories and newly declassified records, Franks offers the first true insider's account of the war on terrorism. He speaks frankly of intelligence shortcomings and of the WMD threats that shaped each battle plan. And, while he writes candidly of the war's aftermath, Franks shows that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq remain heroic victories – wars of liberation won by troops "unequalled," he writes, "by anything in the annals of war.





The book – and the man – is more than simply a recounting of military history; it/he is a study of leadership at its best. Some Franks-isms include:

• You don't manage a group of soldiers up a hill under fire; you lead them. (Tommy Franks on the difference between management and leadership.)

• During my months in combat, I'd come to understand that a soldier owes loyalty to his unit and to his boss. A leader must be able to count on the complete support of his subordinates. …however, loyalty not only flows up the chain of command: it [must] flow down as well.

• …being in charge doesn't automatically mean you know what's going on.

• (Speaking to his officers) If a trooper comes to you with a problem, remember this: It's your problem, and it's my problem. We're not going to lose good soldiers because we don't give a rat's ass about them as people.

• In war, it is necessary that commanders be able to delay their emotions until they can afford them.

• (Speaking to the Joint Chiefs of Staff) Look, you guys have a three-star who commands a service component for me, and represents the service expertise we need to put together a joint plan. It's best to let those guys know your ideas. And then trust them to work for all of us to build a cohesive approach, rather than a patchwork of service interests.

• I defer to no man in my love of troopers; I still consider myself a soldier. But it's often been necessary in our nation's history to fight for our freedoms, and it's never been more necessary than today. It seems to me that fighting terrorism has more to do with our kids and grandkids than with us.

• Haul ass and bypass. (Strategy attributed to General George Patton recognizing that the ultimate objective of any campaign is the enemy's center of gravity. This same strategy served as Franks' basis for the invasion of Iraq.)

• If we had to do it all over again – armed with what we know today – I'm sure some of the decisions would be different. I am not at all sure, however, that all the different decisions would be better. (Tommy Franks reflecting on postwar Iraq.)

• Ain't this a great country. (Tommy Franks reflecting on the opportunity afforded everyone in the U.S.)

• Only the curious will learn and only the resolute overcome the obstacles to learning. The quest quotient has always excited me more than the intelligence quotient. (Eugene S. Wilson - featured on the Tommy Franks website: www.tommyfranks.com)

Terence R. Traut is the president of Entelechy, Inc., a company that helps organizations unlock the potential of their people through customized training programs in the areas of sales, management, customer service, and training. Terence can be reached at 603-424-1237 or ttraut@unlockit.com. Check out Entelechy's website at www.unlockit.com.

Grieving a lost loved one is never easy. One of the best therapies for this grief is to honor their life and give them a memorial service. Most people don't think beyond the traditional memorial service. There are many alternative, or untraditional, memorial service options. These can range from simple memorial poems to elaborate funeral memorials. When searching for the perfect memorial for a loved one don't forget some of these other options.

Some people opt for the traditional memorial service at a funeral home or graveside. These can be enhanced by a nice memorial poem. Poems for lost loved ones can range from simple, emotion-filled lines to elaborate, flowing pieces with imagery and structure. These poems may be read at the service, posted online in honor of the lost loved one, shared with family, or simply kept with other mementos. The simple act of writing one's feelings has a very therapeutic effect and can help the healing process. Others may be having the same feelings and emotions and by reading the poem it may help them work along the grieving track.

The internet offers many other options, as well. Posting the obituary online or online funeral messages may help spread the word. Online memorials set up for a loved one can help to speed the healing. This offers the opportunity of celebrating their life. Posting their accomplishments and pictures will allow all those unable to make it to a service to grieve, also. A collage of photos, favorite quotes, favorite song clips, and even links to their favorite causes can fill this online memorial. This can be an evolving memorial. Allowing others to post their memories and special times with the lost will truly celebrate their life and honor them. Open it up and allow others to post favorite pictures or quotes from the person and watch as the memorial takes new shape and memories blossom.

Some people take this even farther and have an online funeral. This allows everyone to reach out and help each other heal. Those who are limited due to disability, geography, or other hurdles may attend an online funeral and share in the sadness and joy that may accompany a celebration of the loved one's life. Video feed from the actual funeral service can be placed online or fed live during the service. Others will feel as if they are right there and feel a part of the process. This allows everyone the opportunity to be involved with laying the person's soul to rest.





When deciding on how to remember a loved one the possibilities are endless. Imagination can go a long way when planning an untraditional memorial. A video showing clips and photos of the person with voice-overs from family and friends is a good option. Planning a celebration of the person's life centered on things they enjoyed can help everyone remember them as they were in life. A memorial service for an avid scuba diver might take place in a favorite dive spot, or even underwater. The memories, and tears, may flow freely but the cleansing nature will be helpful. Share joys and favorite times and honor them in a place where they found joy.

Another popular form of memorial for a loved one is to give to a charity or favorite cause in their name. Taking this theme a little further, some families have volunteered, as a group, to assist the cause. A trip to the local Red Cross Blood Donor Center in honor of a lost loved one who volunteered with Red Cross would make a great tribute to their accomplishments in life. Whether giving money or blood, this is a true memorial to a loved one.

Whether holding a traditional funeral service or an untraditional online memorial, the most important step after the death of a loved one is to start the healing process. This involves going through the grieving process and finding a way to honor and remember the person. If posting their history and memories to a public website does not feel right, make a special, password-protected site that only family can access. It becomes an intimate memorial but allows those separated by geography to share in the grieving, and healing, process. Remember, a memorial for a lost loved one can be a simple poem or an elaborate memorial service, but the most important factor is the celebration of their life and accomplishments.