The Will and the Way of Leadership Goals (Research)

Goals often define who will succeed and who won't. Just like you wouldn't jump into your car and head across the country to places unknown without a map, you also don't want to spin your wheels on goal setting if you do not have the ability or the desire to achieve such goals. According to research one must have the motivation to put effort on their goals (the will) as well as the capacity to achieve their goals (the way).

(Before we move on, this might be important. If you’re looking for some resources on how to set goals you may review Goal Setting Techniques)

Continuing......

The Will and The Way

The will and the way are going to determine whether or not you will be successful in achieving the goals you set or you will not be able to achieve those goals. Consider,

1. Success will take a level of motivation. You may have designed your methods down to the smallest granule of activity but if you can't stick with it each and every day you are going to struggle. It’s not enough to think about your skills, so you will need to have the will.

2. Goal achievement also requires careful thought on how, whether they are important enough to put effort into, what steps you will take, or the amount of time needed. The ability to think through how you are going to accomplish your goals with the resources and time you have at your disposable will determine the way.

According to this research the way is often related to cognitive skills, capacities and abilities while the will is related to people's motivation to complete a task and can be enhanced through the proper incentives. What one might consider is that while we are limited by general constraints such as our own abilities which may or may not be able to be improved, we can impact our motivation.

The Neuroscience of Goals and Behavior Change

Berkman ET. The Neuroscience of Goals and Behavior Change. Consult Psychol J. 2018 Mar;70(1):28-44. doi: 10.1037/cpb0000094. PMID: 29551879; PMCID: PMC5854216.

Two Examples of Values and the Need to Encourage Thoughtfulness (Hypothetical Thought Experiment on Hate and Corruption)

Thinking about values and accountability we can find ways to enhance and support with thoughtful diligence our most important values we all share. While the vast majority of people do the right thing we can learn to be more thoughtful when they don't. I present two examples for learning of which one is used in a long running thought experiment (These are theoretical discussions of possibilities only.).

Example 1:

A teacher reported physical abuse of kids at a detention center. The teacher was eventually dismissed. Allegedly, parents were afraid to report, other guards were afraid to report, and there were numerous other complaints. While eventually there was greater scrutiny over the alleged misconduct it went on for years and it was against children with some people's knowledge. Initial internal investigators found the claims were "unsubstantiated". Let us further the example and say more kids were harmed. These kids who may now grow up to cause more problems instead of being helped. The sins of our past continue to haunt us over and over for decades because we are not wise enough to see the error of our ways. 

Example 2: 

A group of corrupted officials went out of their way to try and remove/pressure people they did not like from "their" community. Hate rumors, putting kids at risk, taking advantage of the elderly, misusing official positions to financially reward friends, mistreating veterans, and a long-steming history of negligence for the misbehaviors of the past and misbehaviors that occurred after whistleblowers came forward. Victims had no recourse that didn't include additional aggression, targeting and misuse of authority to advance the network and in group's goals.

What happens if someday the unsubstantiated claims were substantiated? Would the failure to objectively investigate, failure to protect victims and failure to correct indicate that something is wrong? How does declining trust play into this?

Standing up for certain values has little or no support in some circles and that is why such behaviors continue on for a long time creating victim after victim. However, there is hope as people begin to create awareness of some of the underlining problems and some of the potential solutions. Supporting and encouraging good officials to move up in authority and appropriate checks and balances can help. Belief and diligence of our central values is important for our future as a people. Those who support those values may not always be appreciated but they have long term value to society. Society being the ultimate stakeholders.

*This is a theoretical thought experiment discussion so take with a grain of salt and feel to have an alternative opinion. This is for discussion only.

April Shows $258 Million Surplus: The Federal Treasury's Balance Sheet Improved

The US Treasury Department announced $850 receipts and $258 billion surplus in an improved bottom line position. That money can perhaps be used to spur additional investments through focused network/infrastructure investments, pay down debt, improve some needed service and/or bump up the military or other (I wonder what it would be like to invest a little in ship building or other clusters, improve an industry or create a new sustainable cluster to test out an idea. A sustainable development idea where money is returned back into a system to create net positives. Perpetual Sustainable Economy. Ok...sorry I'm sort of dreaming here for a moment but sometimes......someday......🤔). Now let us watch what happens with the surplus and that should tell us a little about the strategy being used to enhance the U.S. as a strong market performer.

US Treasury April Receipts

Disc Personality-Dominance Style (Yikes!) What is Yours?

Personality impacts how we manage and influences the approach we take to choices and decisions. Assessments allow us to have some type of outside/objective assessment of our personality in a way as benchmarked against others. Sometimes, something we didn't know about ourselves comes forward. I'm working on a project and am exploring different types of assessments that executives may need to be successful. In other words, "What type of assessments provides a full rounded picture of oneself so as to influence performance?”

Let me give you an example. I feel that I'm competitive but not dominant by nature. In my perspective I'm sort of sheepish. A little passive and too forgiving. Yet in history I have risen to occasion when pushed and perhaps outperformed most people, even if they had more experience. These were deeper traits that I didn't know I had until I was required to learn, develop and use them. Sometimes I look back and think "hmmm....I didn't know I had that skill. Go figure!"  Much is about awareness.

(I like to think of it a little like Good Will Hunting. Yaaa... tough background no opportunity but good soul kind of thing. Sort of took risks for higher principles with out any incentives...internally drivenwhen others had few values. What people don't know about this movie is that the older person and the younger person are the same/similar and it is a father-son or a older verson of oneself sharing wisdom to a younger self. Giving back knowledge is important to make the world a little better place. To say the things others don't want to say even when they are inconvenient. It is a deeply driven goal derived from thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of speed read books and a lifetime of observations and self-reflection. The world is full of wasted talent and that is why it is important to develop our human capital for society and for our futures. Maybe not?  Good Will Hunting).🤔

The DISC assessment teaches who we are from a management style. Things we may not view ourselves about ourselves. While my style came out with a Dominant stance I must admit I think of myself as very collaborative in my approach (may or may not be accurate). You may also find that yours is a little different than what you would have thought. Others might view me different than I view myself and therefore I should take a few seconds to assess how I might come across from another person's perspective who doesn't know my life, thoughts, and beliefs. The process of self reflection makes a big difference. Refect but don't over reflect because you got to be who you are born to be. Society needs all types.,,even if not all people understand that in its broadest sense or don't respect the full diversity of our species and/or society.

You can take your own free test at FREE DISC ASSESSMENT

Anyway, this is how I came out and yes, I believe different styles have different values at different times and places. That is why I'm not indifferent to differences. Embrace difference! 🤣

Dominant (quoted):

Although “D” type people are direct, they are not necessarily hasty. They think things through and do not dive head-in so that they can have regrets later. A “D” personality will take responsibility for their action, as they have taken the best possible course of action. Other traits include: assertive, dynamic, and efficient. Such an individual will not lose time to get to the bottom line. Highly motivated, ambitious, and bright, this person will play detective as long as it takes to solve the problem!

If competing with a “D” person, be prepared for a hell of a race! Dominant people enjoy challenges and will most certainly rise to the occasion! That means they are goal-oriented and aim high; at the same time, they are very resourceful and adaptive, so they have a reputation for being formidable opponents.

Working with D:

Cut straight to the point! There’s no need for the one-hour introduction!
Respect their need for autonomy.
Clarify with them what the rules and expectations are
Show that you are self-sufficient and competent
Let them charge; they like it!

Amvets Post #123 Golf Fundraiser June 14th, 2025: The health benefits of golf

The last few years I have been getting more into golf. Yes, I know it may be an age thing, but I also like the outdoors and some of the social events. Interestingly, there are also some health benefits to playing golf. The article Health Benefits of Golf discusses the physical side of the game. However, there are likely additional benefits to being out in the fresh air and green grass. 

If you are in the area and want to play, consider joining. Amvets Post #123 serves local veterans and community. A good page and resource for veteran type issues in the area. They are non-profit so feel free to throw them some donations. It goes for a good cause. Escanaba Amvets Post #123

Zero Intelligence Trading Strategy: Not sure I'm convinced yet.

There is a concept called zero-intelligence stock trading that seems to reflect the constraints of the system and is about as effective as many other strategies. Before you get excited, the term zero-intelligence doesn't mean there is no strategy. It means that one is placing stock market bids randomly but if they can sell it for a profit they do so (wherever they put that %) and if they cannot sell it for a profit, they will hang onto it. You can read 0-Intelligence Stock Trading

To me if this strategy provides diversification of a portfolio and seems to be just as effective as other strategies, one might consider ensuring a certain percentage are picked randomly ( i.e. 30% or 10% are randomized). The random strategy would force diversification and possibly reduce volitity and bubbles within the portfolio.

I do believe there is a pretty big difference between those who watch the market and gain knowledge, utilize high quality systems to analyze options, etc. versus those who pick stocks based on strategies that are not really time tested. In such cases, randomization would seem just as attractive because average stock performance has general gone up. If you hang onto stocks long enough generally the market increases throughout history---so far!

For now, the strategy I am using is to actively pick stocks based on broader market trends and then holding them for mid-term seems to make some sense. I'm trying to pick exclusively American stocks and/or companies that have a significant footprint in our nation/area as well as capable of hedging industry development. My current portfolio is 34% up. Some bounced from 90% to 0% over the past year but that is reflective of general market volatility. It would seem like my general hedging strategy worked.

Keep in mind I'm looking at a cluster concept and whether or not stocks invested in anchor businesses have a level of stability. Likewise if stocks invested in newly emerging companies that feed those anchor businesses could be of benefit for industry development and faster portfolio growth i.e. pack investing. On a localized scale it might be investment in anchor industries and investment in start-ups that fill cluster needs (A long extentiono f Schumpeter's Creative Destruction, Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations and a touch of Keynesian government-industry). 

I'm not a stock broker and you should not take your stock advice from me. You may find this study interesting. Trading strategies and Financial Performances: A simulation approach

An Analysis of Judicial Corruption: Connections Between the Economy and Corruption and Hate

If you have been reading my blog for a while you know I am working on an economic theory based on micro transactions. That understanding rests on the hard economic principles and the softer social principles as influencing each other. During that research I came across a philosophical question of how corruption can impact economic growth? This aspect is important to explore because as corruption rises so does not only the loss to economic opportunity but also healthy social development and cohesion.

A fundamental question essentially, "What might be the impact of corruption (distorted micro transactions) and hate (limiting transactional potential) on the economy?" That in turn lets us look at things that can help build strong communities and with some luck economic clusters (potentially new industries. Unlikely to happen if corruption wins the day). The goal being to help the community versus just a small group of societal members that enrich themselves off unfettered protections for blatant misbehaviors. If you are part of one group you get more or less protections, seen as local versus non-local have a different set of rules, if your the "wrong" kind of person (racial, religious, etc.) you have less protections. People discuss openly how some can engage in any behavior they want with no legal protections or justice (...an intentionally closed and distorted system based in what appears to be influenced by judicial bias).

Microtransaction are normal patterns of business exchange and hate representing lost human capital needed by society. Corruption and hate can limit societal growth, cohesion, and economic/social development (go figure!). As additional patterns and resources become increasingly distorted the costs to society rise as performance declines. In our example social groups determined what type of rights some should have, whether or not their families are seen as having value, or the outcomes of cases (Openly bragged about dehumanization which is then protected and rewarded by clan affiliations.). Decisions were made that were not their right to make and ran against the very foundations of social trust (i.e. backroom conversations and target lists).

With corruption we find loss of resources because of changes in normal decision-making patterns that waste societal effort (i.e. economics as choice theory). In addition, as hate based behaviors increase, we also limit social cohesion and damage full human capital utilization through reduction in incentives and safety (Go figure!). The goal of the in-group was to block certain members of society and there were no laws or remorse for these potentially serious federal violations. 

A Hypothetical Example for Learning Purposes: 

A local "clan" receives special treatment in the courts and employment. A case in point is someone wanted some money and utilized their employment and social networks through hate-based rumor spreading (dehumanization campaign to normalize aggression against good people) to radicalize an existing corrupt network of officials (not including the vast majority of good officials). Whistleblowers, minorities, veteran's and out-group members were targeted in various forms that ranged from elder abuse to wholesale justice defaults.  Normal protections for freedom of speech, religion, race, etc. dismissed due to nearly non-existent checks-in-balances as courts/judge became tools for the technicalities of law and not their essential purposes (i.e. intentional misuse of the law that runs counter to the intent of law or society.).

Perpetrators were rewarded thereby normalizing hate and corruption while concerned citizens muted through retaliation and aggression. The "status quo" enforced through the misuse of law and public resources (corruption). Being designated with a "local" status comes with additional benefits (local as code word for homogeneous clan affiliation based not on the longevity of locality.). It was more than that, as the judge made decisions as to who is worthy of human/civil rights and who is above the law and its purpose. Local defined as race, religion and politics are different than local as in a geographic sense (i.e. Native Americans not seen as "local" despite predating European settlements). Victims have no/few rights under the law as practiced (We have seen this in history as a reflection of the dark side of human nature).

What makes this situation interesting is that the community rallied against some of the corrupted officials and in turn the community's economic and social prospects improved shortly thereafter.  However, because deep corruption requires specialized knowledge to uncover certain bad actors were left intact and shielded, indicating a complete judicial default (thwarting the will of the people and their pro-social needs). Investigations into perpetrators were blocked and investigations into people who complained opened. The culture of clan affiliates and internal "honor codes" being of more importance than the fundamental social contracts of society or the community itself. The possibility of judicial corruption and its impact on communities in our learning example rises. 

The following case study supports the idea that judicial corruption and hate could impact the economy in a negative way. It is importnat to fulill our oaths and values to ensure the entire system runs at peak performance. Therefore, ensuring we have people on the bench and in offices that serve the public is vitally important for long term institutional health that leads to robust development. If people engage in misconduct that will likely have an impact on economies that are based in free exchange and trust. If misbehaviors are rewarded and encouraged we run the risk of undermining the whole as trust plumments.

An analysis of judicial corruption and its causes: An objective governing-based approach

*This a hypothetical philosophical example for learning purposes so take with a grain of salt.