Thursday, February 12, 2026

THURSDAY — LEADERSHIP, HISTORY & POWER

“While he had a good academic record, his sailing record proved to be poor.”

— Patrick Bodovitz, TheCollector

Alfred Thayer Mahan was a mediocre ship captain who crashed into friendly vessels, yet his writings on sea power became the strategic blueprint that shaped the U.S. Navy, inspired Teddy Roosevelt’s Big Stick diplomacy, and influenced admirals from Tokyo to Berlin. It’s a compelling case study for any leader tempted to equate impact solely with operational execution. Sometimes the person who transforms an organization is the one who steps back, studies the system, and rewrites the playbook for everyone else. For more, Check out the article The Forgotten Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan Who Shaped Modern Naval Warfare.

---

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Be strong. Lead well.

Chad