The Soldier’s Mentality
Translating Military Discipline into Business Success
In a recent conversation with my long-time mentor, Major Graves, I was reminded of my ability to excel. More than just a JROTC instructor, Major Graves is a source of profound wisdom and inspiration. His teachings have shaped my journey, from winning first-place National JROTC trophies to pursuing a successful military and business career. His comment, "Evan, out of all the advice I give to kids, you are one of the exceptional ones that not only listened but took action," resonated deeply with me. With his experiences and stories from Vietnam, Major Graves showed me the importance of listening and acting with intention.
In the military, letting go of our egos is essential to embrace greatness. Developing protocols, systems, and processes ensures consistency in achieving exceptional results. Understanding the mission, capabilities, and team's competencies is vital. As Colin Powell stated, it's about doing more than what is deemed possible in the science of management.
Furthermore, I am a fan of Colin Powell's 18 leadership principles, a testament to effective leadership. To help the ADHD brain and others who like condensed information with the ability to revert to the source, I've categorized his principles into four domains, each highlighting a critical aspect of leadership:
Personal and Emotional Management:
These principles underscore the significance of emotional intelligence, stress management, and maintaining perspective in leadership.
Decision Making and Problem-Solving:
Here, the focus is on strategic thinking, informed decision-making, and a problem-solving mindset, crucial for successful leadership.
Team Management and Collaboration:
These principles emphasize team care, acknowledging contributions, setting high standards, and fostering a cooperative environment.
Leadership Attitude and Approach:
This domain advocates for a positive outlook, attention to detail, and proactive leadership, shaping an effective leadership style.
These military leadership principles transcend the confines of the battlefield, proving to be equally powerful and effective in the business arena. In my journey across various sectors, I've leveraged these principles to forge disciplined, efficient, and profoundly successful teams. The essence of a soldier's mentality extends beyond mere authority and structure – it nurtures resilience, adaptiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
This seamless integration of military discipline into business leadership goes far beyond the surface level of strictness and order. It represents a holistic approach to guiding teams, encompassing emotional intelligence, decisive action, collaborative spirit, and a proactive, positive attitude. When these time-honored military principles are skillfully applied to business, they open doors to remarkable growth, efficiency, and overarching success. In our roles as leaders, we have the unique opportunity to weave these invaluable lessons into the fabric of our daily business operations, thereby cultivating a workplace culture rooted in excellence and primed for achievement. Join us at Zeal Consulting as we delve deeper into these profound leadership lessons, integrating them into our evolving business strategies for sustained success and impact.
Evan Howard, Founder, CEO