Back in my time as the battalion S2 (intelligence and security officer) of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo., I needed to get an appointment on my battalion commander's schedule.  I got with the battalion S1 (personnel and administration officer, also known as the adjutant), the man who handled the commander's schedule.  I looked at the calendar, and I saw one day after another with hours free.  The adjutant looked at me and said, "No, Mike, he's not available."  I asked what's up, and he said, "Mike, on day one of me becoming the adjutant, he laid down a rule.  I cannot block his schedule for more than half of the day unless he approves it first.  And don't take this the wrong way, but you're not that important." I got on the calendar in two weeks, and I learned a lesson about senior executives.  They husband their time more than any...(Read Full Article)