Bill Clinton was once asked what his biggest regrets were from his time as president. He didn’t mention Monica, but listed (and i paraphrase):
1. Not getting militarily involved in Rwanda – something he lived with every day of his life
2. Making important decisions when he was tired – invariably they were sub optimal
3. Not having enough people around him who told him the truth.

The third point is one that an aspiring leader, particularly in the military, needs to ensure that he has covered. There will always be people who are ready to tell a “leader” how brilliant they are. Creating an environment in which the staff can access the “leader” and tell him the truth – particularly if it is unpalatable – rather than have it filtered down to a more palatable version as it passes through the outer office is something I would reccomend any aspiring leader should think about.

As for point 12 – I will be happy to discuss in person.

Plenty more to write, but if i am to get to point 8 myself, there is real work to be done.

This point ignores the role of legal advisers:
“Commanders’ attorneys and honest brokers”
It is good to read the law and the principles may be grasped by anyone with certain level of education and then you do not need lawyers until an International Court calls you asks you why you prepared your OPLAN, your ROEs or your Targeting Priority List this way…because then it comes the figure of the “Commander’s Responsibility”
Then the commander will regret not having counted on an honest broker and attorney in the thinking phase of an operation or simply an administrative decision that can cost much money simply because someone read the law but…alas! forgot to read the jurisprudence.
Do not agree with point 12 at all! By the way, I recommend you to read the Hippocrates Aphorisms and perform an open heart surgery…if the patient accepts, of course!
Speaking of medicine and lawyers “It is better to prevent than to cure”