My mother-in-law shaved my head while I slept on the very night the United States Army promoted me into one of the most important commands of my career.

” I said. “You will find I value discipline, accuracy, and loyalty to mission over ego. I do not reward excuses. I do not tolerate abuse of authority. And I do not mistake noise for power.”

A few faces changed, just slightly.

They heard what I did not say.

“Now,” I continued, opening the first briefing folder, “let’s get to work.”

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