Whatever else I have done in life for which I have been well-compensated and rewarded, I remain simply a teacher and a coach, which are synonymous with consulting.

Although I surely have learned some leadership traits through the observation of others, I copy no one and am essentially self-taught. What I know about leading was partly experiential (trial and error) and captured through obsessive reading about leaders and leadership.

Recently, I pause at General Mattis’ resignation as Secretary of Defense, but I remain an admirer of his intellect and outspoken positions on leading at the highest levels. I know that he has been terminated by two presidents, but no one will ever be able to say that he did not speak truth to power. Another reason that I admire the General is his frequent public encouragement of others to read and study the art of leadership as he did in his interview last night on Fox News. General Mattis reminds me of General Patton in that regard.

I have learned much through my reading and have shared it broadly in my books and other writings. In my consulting, I work with so many leaders - board members, CEOs, and senior staff. Few are well-read in the professional for which leading is a primary ingredient.

My readings began as I young high school coach. Over the years I began to discover that much of what I read was not me. As I discovered those authors/leaders who were blount about the realities of leading and the importance of leader self-awareness, I realized what my true leadership interests were, and they revolved around the rescue of failing organizations (thus, some of my favorite authors were seemingly a bit provocative in style (baseball manager Billy Martin, Chrysler executive and board member Robert Lutz, Admiral James Stockdale, and two pastors: Reverend Mark Rutland and Albert Mohler to name a few.

Through all of this, I developed first; a self-awareness of my own leadership style, its strengths and its challenges. Secondly, I learned that leaders must understand that they must ensure that they are the right fit for a leadership position before they accept and offer. Likewise, as a consultant today, this is where I can help organizations as together we seek the right leaders for the needs of the position.