Category: General Chick Cleveland

Final analysis – The Essence. The Epitome. All things considered. Daddy loved a good wrap up: the weighing in, the summing up, and the capping-off of information that reveals an undisputed resolution.

Regarding Daddy’s life and advice, the final analysis reveals his fair-minded, optimistic, and consistent leadership. The applied pattern of actions is consistent and overarching.  His admonitions, guidance, and value structure – consistent with his generation – add value to the general body of knowledge of our culture. This is so because he lived a life that clearly reflected his principles.

After his distinguished military career as a Korean War Ace and a three-star general, Daddy threw his efforts into his community. One of his favorite principles was the unifying of Black and White people in a city with a very checkered past. While working in various community roles, from State Commissioner of Human Resources to president and chair of various nonprofits, he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Montgomeryans and Alabamians. He began the regional food bank, which today distributes over twenty million meals annually to hungry families. He championed drug awareness and education, as well as fostered relationships between law enforcement and families from underserved and underprivileged neighborhoods. His leadership abilities and penchant for bringing out the best in people made him a dynamic force in the community. His undying support of these causes and many others elevated him among his peers. He was well-respected, highly esteemed, and beloved.

A biography written about Daddy’s life and his role in history, called Once a Fighter Pilot, written by historian Warren A. Trest, captures the essence of Daddy’s leadership persona and the impact he had on the many people who have worked for and with him. The first printing sold out, and he was reticent about a second printing. He would be; that was his way. He was remarkably self-effacing.

A month before Daddy passed away, he was telling war stories with young pilots at the Aviator Bar in downtown Montgomery, Alabama. He drove himself there and back, as he almost always did. His favorite social activity was a night spent with friends, visitors, and young airmen, singing raucous songs, and flirting with pretty girls, while doling out sage advice. He was strong and robust with a hearty laugh and a mischievous twinkle in his eye until the end of his long and fruitful life.

If you ever had an opportunity to spend a little time with him, you are fortunate. He is unforgettable, and his wisdom is timeless.

My father, General Chick Cleveland, passed away in May 2021 at the age of 93. He gave me some great advice over those years, and I am sharing some of it here on my blog in small doses. I hope it means as much to you as it does to me!

Never shy away from leadership, but do not presume it either – It may not be safe to assume that there is not a more competent leader among you.  If no one is willing to step up to the plate, by all means….

Keep track of your money – Being fiscally sound is one of the few things you have more or less complete control over.  Don’t spend more than you make, and be sure you save a percentage out of every paycheck.  Make a budget, and keep a record of everything.  With these habits you will be able to enjoy your retirement!

Don’t toot your own horn – Let others who know you and have personal testimony about you crow all they want on your behalf.  When you do it, it looks braggadocios and self-serving.

Always clean up after yourself – Don’t delay; do it right away. Being neat and organized, and maintaining a clean workspace and living space reflects pride and shows others you care. In fact, it shows yourself you care. There’s no reason not to clean up right away after a project, cooking a meal, doing your bills, whatever. Put things away and wipe everything down. You are not done until everything is tidy.

Have a routine – Daddy lived each segment of his day by a routine.  From the time he got up, what he ate for breakfast, how he dressed, even how he read his mail.  My favorite routine by far is the “drinky-poo” he had at cocktail time.  In fact, it transcended routine and became a ceremony.  His favorite drink was a gin and tonic.  First he got out all the ingredients:   The same tumbler, the specific gin, the name brand tonic in the small bottles, the lemons.  He sliced the lemons into small sections, added four ice cubes to the tumbler, poured the gin to the count of three, and filled the glass with tonic.  He squeezed the lemon in and stirred it.  He then got out the snacks, or as he called them, the soakers.  First the little serving dishes, then a variety of chips and nuts.  Once the table was set, he waited for whomever was with him to be seated and ready.  No one took a drink until everyone was ready to relax for that first sip.  Glasses were raised, then “Cheers!” and with smiles and warm looks right in the eye, glasses were clinked all around. It was a beautiful ceremony!  And one that is repeated in his honor to this day.

Wear pajamas – Another one of Daddy’s rituals, pajamas at bedtime, signifies the transition from day to night, from productivity to sleep. It’s the other end of the spectrum from making your bed every morning – also an absolute must.

The Arts are important – Daddy had no artistic ability that any of us are aware of  (although he did take up the drums in his 50s as an ode to his love for jazz), but he had a great love and appreciation for the fine arts. Music, theater, and artwork are ways to express our inner emotions with culture and refinement. They elevate humanity.

Self-esteem is not a right, it is earned – Daddy said many times, if you are a lazy bum who amounts to nothing, you will consequently have low self-esteem; it is a natural order.  Don’t blame your no-account life on low self-esteem. Do things that will raise your image of yourself. Improve yourself.  Take care of yourself.  Then your estimation of yourself will rise also.

Jealousy is weakness – There is no greater exposer of insecurity than jealousy.  It is petty and reveals a heart that refuses to believe the best.

Know what the goal is and work toward it – Having a destination is necessary for any journey. How can you arrive if you don’t know where you’re going? You can chart progress and create alternate routes as needed, but know what your goal is.

Take responsibility – If you have a task to do, own it. Immerse yourself in it and do the very best you can with it. If your work doesn’t live up to expectations (yours or someone else’s), own that too.  Make no excuses.

Forgive and forget – Once you have offered someone your forgiveness, that’s it. It’s done. Move on.

Stay current – At 93, Daddy spent a good chunk of his day on the computer, reading news, catching up on sports, communicating with his friends, and doing business with his non-profits. He texted and checked his phone fairly regularly. He believed you have to stay up with technology and current events to be relevant. He was not shy when it came to learning new things. He was interested and eager to learn.  It kept him young.

Embrace change – It is inevitable in this life, and there is no use trying to fight it. Those who don’t change with the attitudes, standards, and practices of the time get left behind. That’s not to say don’t fight for values you believe in; just be sure those values aren’t obsolete.

My father, General Chick Cleveland, passed away in May 2021 at the age of 93. He gave me some great advice over those years, and I am sharing some of it here on my blog in small doses. I hope it means as much to you as it does to me!

Mainstream values are good – I had lots of notions of individualism bordering on rebellion when I was younger. There was a time when I hung out with friends who dyed their hair green and pink, wore tattered clothes, boys wore makeup, and girls wore grunge. It was freeing in a way because it was so different from my conservative lifestyle at home. The ideal of individual expression was very appealing, especially when it flew so flagrantly in the face of the status quo. My father had a different take on it. “It seems like your friends just want to shock people. They are looking for attention, not for anything positive they are contributing to society, but just for their appearance. What’s the value in that?” He continued, “The reason society, American society, progresses is because of the basis it has in the Judeo-Christian value system.” Now Daddy was never a religious man. When questioned, he would say he was agnostic, but he put great stock in the value system developed on biblical mores. Individual expression is well and good, but a great society gets ahead when it works for the common good, not when it works for the individual.

Help others; give freely – Generosity of life and spirit is what makes life worth living. When you can give to others, you are truly receiving more. It feels good to share. If it doesn’t, you’re not doing it right.

Life is good; be positive – There are many more good things in the world than bad. Just look for them. If you stop looking for the negative, you might start seeing the positive. Even simple things are good, like someone’s smile, the love of a pet, witnessing a good deed. Be watchful for these things.

People are good; believe the best – Some people are boobs. Most are not. When you start believing people are bad, everyone looks bad. Stop that. Start believing most people want the best. Sure, people will take the easiest route to get something; it’s human nature. That doesn’t necessarily make them bad.

Support the underdog – The underdogs in this world are the brave and the untested. They pit themselves against champions and dare to win, taunting victory. They epitomize courage and boldness. And they deserve a cheerleader!

Let the other person have the bigger piece; always ask if anyone else wants the last bite – This is common courtesy.  Don’t be a hog.

Mind your manners – Always say “please,” “thank you,” “after you.” Let others have the first piece and the last piece.  It is what drives a civilized world.

Always pitch in and help – We are a community and can do so much more together than alone.  When you see someone burdened with a task, pick up some of the slack, at home, at work, at school, wherever.  It builds rapport and a sense of accomplishment.

Practice, practice, practice – The only way to master a skill is to practice it relentlessly.  If you don’t practice, you will be a poor performer.  Practice everything you want to excel at, from communication to your backhand.

Keep yourself healthy – Your body has to last your whole lifetime. Take care of your teeth!

Family is the most important thing in life, the ones you support, the ones who support you – Take care of them and treat them well.  You will need them one day!

My father, General Chick Cleveland, passed away in May 2021 at the age of 93. He gave me some great advice over those years, and I am sharing some of it here on my blog in small doses. I hope it means as much to you as it does to me!

Be a team player – The good of the team is more important than the good of the individual. A team has a purpose, a goal, and your best value is whatever advances the team, not what puts you ahead. Never give half an effort, encourage on the sidelines, and bring Gatorade for the team when you’re not playing.

Know your limitations, don’t overcommit – There’s nothing worse than telling someone you will do something and figuring out you can’t because you don’t have the resources, you don’t have the time, or you don’t have the inclination.

Be there for others – We all need each other in some way and if you have the resources to help others you should. You have probably been helped by others at some time. Maybe a sounding board, a word of advice, a leg-up financially. You should give back. It’s the right thing to do.

Stand up for yourself, do not be acquiescent – Letting others steamroll you is just dumb. Make sure you are equal to others in your own eyes and you will have less trouble being equal in theirs.

Shoot for the top, always perform your best – There have been times when I was willing to settle for second best, and Daddy called me up short for not trying for the top. One time in high school, a particularly innovative teacher let the class shoot for the grades we wanted. To get an A in the class, we had to write a certain number of papers, do research, read more than what was required, and show an effort at reaching the top. To get a B was less effort and seemed very doable. I really liked Option B. Daddy was always very sure to “let me make my own decision,” but he let his opinion be known loud and clear.  “Why would you settle for less than an A?” Of course, my rationale was because it was less work, and that didn’t fly with him. I changed my goal, did the work, and got the A. The experience will always stick with me.

Play hard – Wherever Daddy went, there was a party. He brought it with his mirthful attitude and wry humor. He loved people to be at ease and to laugh. And he loved his cocktails. A few gin and tonics and everyone he was with became as blithe as he was. He had that effect. Playing hard is a fighter pilot mainstay, and it stays for life. Daddy had all kinds of friends, and they all admired his fun side.

Be genuine, forthright and upfront – Cloaking and masking are for people with something to hide.

You can be anything you want to be – Don’t limit yourself with small goals. The only one who can stand in your way is you.

Take pride, be proud, but don’t be too proud – Daddy was a very proud man. He was confident, self-reliant, and never wanted to give up control or independence. At the same time, he was very conscious of false pride and knew the difference between self-confidence and self-aggrandizement. Be sure you know which side of the fence you fall on, and be sure to adjust your opinion of yourself based on your own accomplishments. Once you become too proud, you are apt to inflate your worth – a mistake that will undoubtedly get you knocked down a peg or two. Possibly very publicly.

Love your people fiercely and with devotion – Your team, your family, your tribe, are the ones who stand behind you and give you strength. They support you and love you even when you’re unlovable. Love them back with unwavering loyalty. The world is big and full of unknowns, and without your people you may feel alone and anxious. With them you feel buffered, strong, and steadfast. This is important, especially in a crisis.