Reader:

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Morning Minute 4/4/25:

13 Days to Nuclear Armageddon​

​The Cuban Missile Crisis​

In October 1962, the world teetered on the edge of a nuclear war. Tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union had been escalating for years. The U.S. had deployed nuclear missiles in Turkey, uncomfortably close to the Soviet border. Meanwhile, Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida, had become a Soviet ally after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. When U.S. spy planes discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, the stage was set for a confrontation that could have ended civilization as we know it.

The Road to the Brink of Nuclear War:

From October 16-28, 1962, President John F. Kennedy and his advisors wrestled with how to respond. A full-scale invasion of Cuba or airstrikes risked immediate war with the Soviets. Ignoring the threat wasn’t an option. Instead, Kennedy ordered a naval quarantine, a limited blockade, preventing further missile shipments. As tensions escalated, a U-2 spy plane was shot down over Cuba, pushing both nations dangerously close to war.

​Backchannel negotiations became critical. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev sent two messages: one offering to remove missiles in exchange for a U.S. pledge to not invade Cuba, and another, more aggressive demand, to also remove U.S. missiles from Turkey. Kennedy publicly accepted the first and privately agreed to the second, allowing both sides to de-escalate while saving face. On October 28, the crisis ended, with the missiles being withdrawn.

Lessons in Leadership and Strategy:

The Cuban Missile Crisis remains a masterclass in crisis leadership. Kennedy’s decision to use a measured, flexible approach—combining military readiness with diplomacy—prevented catastrophe. He listened to multiple perspectives, avoided knee-jerk reactions, and understood the importance of allowing his opponent a way to retreat without humiliation.

This event underscores the value of calm under pressure, the necessity of direct communication, and the importance of strategic thinking in high-stakes situations. Whether in global politics or business leadership, the ability to balance assertiveness with diplomacy can mean the difference between disaster and resolution.

Final Thought:

The Cuban Missile Crisis serves as a stark reminder that peace is best achieved through strength. A leader must be strong enough to win should war become necessary, yet wise enough to avoid conflict when possible. Kennedy’s approach—standing firm while allowing both sides to claim victory—averted catastrophe. Even today, the ability to blend strength with strategic wisdom remains a hallmark of great leadership.

13 Days to Nuclear Armageddon​

That is today’s Morning Minute!

If you find this message helpful, interesting, and/or informative, please repost this message on social media or share it with others As always, your comments, your questions, and your observations are greatly appreciated! Reach out to me at lab@larryonlearning.com.

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Here are some recent Morning Minutes you may have missed that can help you and/or your team be more. do more and earn more. They include actionable directions to help improve both your personal life and/or your professional performance:

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May God bless you, your family, and your team.

And may God bless the USA!

Larry A. Bonorato 864-730-2625 text/cell lab@larryonlearning.com​