August 22, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Picture the late 1990s: Apple Inc., a tech giant that had once soared, found itself in financial turmoil and market decline. Then, like a beacon of change, Steve Jobs returned. What followed was a series of moves that saved Apple from the brink and reshaped the … Read more

August 17, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) In the early 2000s, Netflix was a DVD rental service that offered customers the convenience of renting DVDs online and receiving them by mail. However, with the rise of digital technology, the company faced a critical decision that would shape its future. In 2007, as online … Read more

August 9, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) We live in a world of ever increasing complexity. Today’s leaders are challenged with a diverse mix of complex issues that involve a high degree of uncertainty and ambiguity. These issues include navigating the expectations of various stakeholders; operating in an interconnected world with diverse cultures … Read more

August 1, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The military serves as a dynamic testing ground for leadership principles as the stakes and stress are often high due to life and death consequences. One remarkable story of effective leadership and diversity in the military involves General Lloyd J. Austin III, who made history as … Read more

July 24, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) “Ooooh, this is looking good,” I said to the Weapons System Operator (WSO) in the backseat. I shoved my butt back in the ejection seat and hunched over just a little bit into an offensive crouch with my shoulders rolled away from the seat of my … Read more

July 17, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Lisa was a renowned management consultant. She was known for her exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to bring clarity to complex organizational challenges. A struggling company reached out to Lisa in desperate need of her expertise. The CEO, John, explained the numerous issues plaguing their company: … Read more

July 5, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Enron got it wrong. In the late 1990s, Enron Corporation, an American energy company based in Houston, Texas, experienced a dramatic downfall that was largely attributed to its toxic corporate culture. At its peak, Enron was considered one of the most innovative and successful companies in … Read more

June 27, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) I wanted my bridge team to be highly trained. If I was the one always giving the orders or always countermanding orders, then my team would not be learning critical lessons. I made a point to give them a lot of latitude. I wanted them to … Read more

June 20, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) There is a chapter in my book Learn How to Lead to Win: 33 Powerful Stories and Leadership Lessons titled Seek Balance. I deployed fifteen times for six months or more. I was at sea for more than eight years. I was gone for 50 percent … Read more

June 8, 2023 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) There is a chapter in my book Learn How to Lead to Win: 33 Powerful Stories and Leadership Lessons titled Face the Storm. One of the stories I share took place in the winter of 2001, when the USS Carl Vinson was coming back across the … Read more