Improvement

Mentors; A Gentleman’s Guide

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

Parents. Coaches. Teachers. Pastors. Old friends. All of the above have something very important in common. They all have the potential to serve as mentors in the lives of others. A mentor can serve many roles in the life of a gentleman. Some mentors serve to teach, some to guide, others still to discipline. Some […]

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The Monday Sweet Spot – 01/04/2016

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

We’ve all hit that point during a smoke, usually about half way through, in which the cigar’s flavors and aromas open up and transform the experience into something far more rich, complex, and enjoyable. In this moment, gentlemen, you’ve hit the “sweet spot”. A moment that encourages you to open your senses, and to truly […]

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Valuing the Wisdom of Our Elders

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

If C.S. Lewis suddenly appeared in your room, what questions would you ask him? Would you be at a loss for words or be anxiously at the ready with a barrage of questions? Unfortunately, I would argue that most of us would fall into the first category. Most men today don’t know how to approach […]

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Topics for Discussion While Smoking Amongst Gentlemen

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Ernest Hemingway
Mr. South

A good rule of thumb when it comes to conversations during a smoke with fellow gentlemen is to ignore the rule of thumb of discussion topics at the workplace. We are encouraged to stay away from topics that may stir up controversy during our professional work hours (religion, politics, money, etc.), and in most cases, […]

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4 Gentlemen in France Show the World What It Means to Be a Man

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

This week’s post from the Modern Day Gentleman points you in the direction of a whole different blog entirely. A true gentleman knows there is wisdom all around him, and I will not be the one to withhold any valuable insight, no matter its origin. Owen Strachan’s brilliantly penned article on stream.org last August told […]

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Holiday Stress – Leading Well In Brokenness and Tension

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

It’s that time of year. The holidays are upon us and the scent of autumn is in the air. Your family and/or friends have gathered once more to slow down and take time to appreciate their gifts and to count their blessings from another year passed. Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday anchored in rich traditions […]

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The Importance of Old Friends In a Gentleman’s Life

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

“The friend is the person whom one is in need of, and by whom one is needed. Life is a sweeter, stronger, fuller, more gracious thing for the friend’s existence, whether he be near or far: if the friend is close at hand, that is best; but if he is far away, he is still […]

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Dead Gentleman Walking

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it." - Poe
Mr. Rafal
Latest posts by Mr. Rafal (see all)

“This is Halloween, this is Halloween,” are potentially familiar song lyrics if you were alive in the 90’s. And with Halloween just a few days away we will distill some lessons on gentlemanly leadership from an unlikely place… The first full length claymation movie, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Today we will be looking […]

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The Defining Virtue of a Gentleman

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

What is a gentleman? What differentiates a gentleman from the rest of the men around him? There are many arguments one could present as perfectly reasonable answers to that question. Though today I want to discuss one thing in particular that I’ve seen to be the most common trait in any gentleman I’ve encountered. In […]

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What Doing the Dishes Teaches Us About Being a Gentleman

Founding Member at The Distinguished Society of Fine Gentlemen
"Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Norman Schwarzkopf
Brandon Reed

We’ve all been there before… A long day’s work, the commute home, the hurried rush to get out of your work clothes in the anticipation of sinking deeply into the cushions of your living room couch. But how often does our rush for self-gratification, in any given circumstance, leave our loved ones needing something from […]

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