Why Veterans Make Outstanding Business Leaders
Veterans bring to the civilian workplace a multitude of characteristics and values critical to a successful mindset.
Fundamental virtues of a Veteran translate seamlessly to the workplace by sheer strength of character. They envision the future, motivate others, see opportunities, and recognize talent. Veterans persevere, take risks and face failure, set goals and standards, seek new opportunities and challenges, weigh risk vs reward, and assume responsibility. They possess social and psychological maturity, control emotions, and are self-confident when determining course of action. Veterans value accountability over excuse, shouldering authority to accomplish any mission: to follow is as important as leading when facing adversity and discomfort, no matter how difficult the task.
Military Officers have an innate understanding of the value of diversity.
Veterans are well-versed in working with diverse populations. While enlisted, military service personnel constitute a cross section of society that works together to solve problems. Upon a return to civilian life, often times, ex-Military will take a position in another country where they were stationed. Their adeptness to blend into another culture contributes to the success of the mission.
How does military service contribute to excellence in leadership?
Comprised of diversity at all levels, those leaders with a Military background have been trained to better understand, and value, differences in perspectives, personalities, and skill sets. This makes them Military training lends itself to becoming great leaders, collaborators and influencers, contributing to the C-Suite they represent as they strive to reach organizational goals.
Military Officers can be great leaders and even better mentors.
Military leaders make great mentors, dedicated to helping others achieve their potential. Anyone who has experienced the trepidation of fearing the consequences of failure truly understands the power of a working culture where vulnerability is embraced. Failure is integral to growth, and lifting employees when they stumble enriches the business, allowing space for creativity, innovation and excellence. Project management and critical thinking skills transform Veterans into logistical planners and agile leaders. By developing a culture where employees are empowered, Veterans will contribute to creation a working environment where it’s okay to be vulnerable and accept your own mistakes, to extract lessons so as not to repeat a failure.
Leadership development happens in the Military
Military personnel have been completing basic training for generations. Even the best of businesses likely can’t compete with the competency of the U.S. military when it comes to developing true leaders. Military training is about conditioning its soldiers into a cohesive unit, to manage stressful situations and respond in a methodical way. Boot camp is physical, mental and combat training: it is specialty equipment and or advanced technology training. Strong mental fortitude and true grit comes on the back end of basic, spurring a shift in mindset to achieve more than they thought they could.
Military Officers are uniquely trained to be focused and flexible.
Soldiers are extraordinarily disciplined, a result of living and working in an environment built on structure. They are also are trained to be flexible. Our world is changing at lightning speed, so embracing leaders who can be laser-focused and flexible ensures a level of success, regardless of what the ecosphere throws at it. Veterans adhere to time lines, hit deadlines and follow protocol. When priorities take a sudden shift, Veteran leaders can adjust to change and unexpected requirements as the business pivots. It is this inherent adaptability, flexibility and willingness to quickly alter course that is most appreciated. Veterans are well trained to cope under pressure while maintaining calm, think clearly in the moment, prioritize tasks, make timely decisions with minimal disruption to meet deadlines and achieve results. Their training lends itself to an ability to respond to the unexpected, because there will be disruptions and unknown obstacles.
What does Military leadership development translate to in a corporate environment?
People first, functional competence follows
Leadership is situational based on expertise required
Competence and confidence
Leadership styles morphed to the company culture
High emotional intelligence and optimistic mindset to inspire people to act and achieve goals
The Millennium Group thanks all Veterans for their service to country, and to those organizations who support and recognize the value a retired Veteran adds to their C-suite.