Joe McPherson
Pizza Hut!
How much do I love pizza? I once was punished as a grown adult for a month for simply saying the word 'pizza' when I shouldn’t have. I...
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Old Line Leadership
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Joe McPherson
Oct 26, 202214 min read
Do you see what I see?
Perspective is a powerful word and concept. The value of gaining perspective often drives our curiosity and desire to learn. At a basic...
Joe McPherson
Mar 1, 20224 min read
Innovation for Bureaucracies
Shortly after senior executives arrive in a new position they often hopefully communicate priorities to their team. Regardless of the...
Joe McPherson
Feb 2, 20222 min read
Insects and Inclusion
How can a science-fiction writer help us think about inclusion? Years ago, my sister, Mary, sent me this quote that reminded her of me. I...
Joe McPherson
Jan 19, 202211 min read
The only thing to Change, is Change itself
{TL:DR - see the more interesting content and pictures toward the bottom.} Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen once said the service needed...
Joe McPherson
Dec 22, 20216 min read
Voyage of Life on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
If bridges and oceans are among my favorite things, it should be no surprise that I find inspiration in the 17.6 mile long Chesapeake Bay...
Joe McPherson
Dec 14, 20212 min read
The Interrobang and The Stockdale Paradox
I consider myself to be cheerful, but not necessarily optimistic. In fact, I pride myself on maintaining a certain level of...
Joe McPherson
Nov 25, 20216 min read
Engineering Leadership Lessons
“That’s pretty good leadership insight from an engineer.” Although my colleague wrongly reduced all engineers to some cast of...
Joe McPherson
Nov 10, 202112 min read
Graduation Advice That We All Still Need to Hear
On a recent road trip for work I listened to a series of speeches by the author David McCullough. Half of the speeches were from...
Joe McPherson
Oct 28, 20213 min read
Give Teamwork a Hand, Hand, Finger, Thumb!
The human hand consists of 27 bones and, together with the human brain, owns responsibility for our species’ success. I realized how...
Joe McPherson
Oct 12, 20218 min read
A perspective on 20 years
The Coast Guard held a retirement ceremony for me on June 21st at our Headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was presided over by Captain...
Joe McPherson
Oct 5, 202112 min read
The Twinscrew Letters - A fan fiction.
~~ Preface ~~ Dear Sirs, The following letters were found unclaimed or left behind by the previous occupant of my office. I find them...
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