The Door of Leadership Swings on the Hinge of Character

Four-star Admiral James Stavridis served as the commander of US Southern Command, US European Command, and Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, and served for five years as the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is currently Partner and Vice Chairman, Global Affairs of The Carlyle Group, and is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, What a Leaf-Sweeper’s Answer Teaches About Personal Leadership ]

In his book, Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character, he explores—through the lives of some of the most illustrious naval commanders in history—how personal character is the driving force behind successful or failed leadership.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness Self-Defense: Seeing Temptation as a Threat ]

None of the admirals in this volume were perfect, and some were deeply flawed. But important themes emerge, not least that serving your reputation is a poor substitute for serving your character; and that taking time to read and reflect is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, How Does Your Character Measure Up? ]

“The big door of leadership can swing for good or for ill…the hinge upon which that big door of leadership swings is called character; the human heart,” says Admiral Stavridis. “What’s in that heart, what kind of character a leader has is what will determine how that big door of leadership will swing for good purpose or for terrible evil.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Every Small Decision Leads to Winning or Losing in Spiritual Warfare ]

Here are a few of the lessons taught in the book:

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Don’t Be a Victim of Crime: Learn How to Refuse To Be A Victim®

The national award-winning personal safety program, Refuse To Be A Victim®, developed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), presents practical, easy-to-understand preventative strategies you can use to avoid situations where self-defense may be required.

Experts agree the single most important step you can take to ensure your personal safety is to make the decision to refuse to be a victim.

This 4-hour (or less) classroom instruction seminar focuses on teaching you proactive courses of action, rather than reactive. By making yourself a more difficult target to prey upon, you lessen your risk of a criminal attack. That means having a personal safety strategy in place before you need it.

Basic Principles of Crime Prevention:

  • Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings
  • Trust Your Instincts
  • Always Have a Personal Safety Strategy in Place
  • Take a Refuse To Be A Victim Seminar

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Situational Awareness: 14 Ways to Walk Like You Drive ]

Firearm training is not part of the Refuse To Be A Victim curriculum. The NRA has other courses that focus on firearm training and can be taken separately. Instruction in physical combat is also not part of the curriculum.

The seminar teaches lessons about common weaknesses that criminals may take advantage of, and presents a variety of corrective measures that are practical, inexpensive, and easy to follow.

The Refuse To Be A Victim seminar covers topics that pertain to everyone; it’s appropriate for young adults to senior citizens. The program materials also include a special module for parents, which discusses safety tips for children ages pre-school to high school.

TOPICS COVERED IN THE SEMINAR:

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Interview with Keith Graves of Christian Warrior Training

If you’d like to be interviewed to share best practices of your own church security/safety team, contact SemperVerus by emailing staytrue@semperverus.com.

SemperVerus interviewed Keith Graves, founder and trainer of Christian Warrior Training, which empowers churches with the knowledge and tools they need to create a safe and secure environment for their members.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

Why have you focused your tactical attention on providing your professional expertise for church security teams?
Churches are often seen as safe havens, but they are not immune to violence or threats. As a retired police sergeant and a believer, I’ve witnessed the rise in targeted attacks on places of worship. I focus on church security because it aligns with the biblical call to protect the flock (Acts 20:28). A well-trained security team ensures that worshippers can gather safely and focus on their relationship with Christ, knowing that someone is standing guard.

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The Importance of the Second Amendment Foundation

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) safeguards and promotes the fundamental civil rights of individuals enshrined in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. SAF engages in aggressive legal action to ensure that the principles of armed self-defense, personal liberty, and the ownership of arms are defended, secured, and restored. Through public education initiatives, SAF teaches the importance of the Second Amendment to promote a society that values and exercises the right to keep and bear arms.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, USA State Constitutions Providing for Armed Self-Defense ]

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Amendment II, The US Constitution

The following 22-minute video, Reflections: Five Decades of SAF’s 2A Advocacy, celebrates SAF’s 50 years of defending the Second Amendment and fighting legal battles in the courts for gun owners’ civil rights.

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