Continuous Improvement with George Burk
Ten Principles the Military Teaches the Troops That Can Help Leaders Excel
Question : Can military experience translate to leadership and business savvy ?
From my perspective , experience and people I ’ ve known in many different organizations , my reply is “ YES !”
An analysis of some of the country ’ s most successful companies also suggests in the “ affirmative .”
Many names in the business world---Verizon ’ s Lowell McAdams , FedEx CEO Fred Smith and former General Motors CEO Daniel Akerson to name a
few---have military backgrounds .
A 2005 study by Korn / Ferry International of 500 CEO ’ s found that more than eight percent of top executives were former military officers , which is nearly triple the three percent of US men who serve as officers .
What does the military teach that helps these former officers to climb to the top ?
Make your bed . What does that have to do with leadership ? Simple ! If the first thing you do in the morning is make your bed , then the other little things will get done later in the day . It ’ s the little things that don ’ t get done throughout the day that
“ If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day . It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another and another .” - Admiral
William McCraven
“ A man who has work that suits him and a wife , whom he loves , has squared his account with life .” - Fredrich Hegel
Always look sharp and “ squared away .”
It would appear this is a simple , straight-forward and easy concept to pursue . But , as former college football Coach Lee Corso says on “ ESPN ’ s College Football Game Day Saturday ,” “ Not so fast , my friend !” Shoes shined , check ! The edges of the soles and heels clean and polished . Check ! The “ Gig Line ” ---right-hand edge of the belt buckle--- aligned with the shirt front and trouser zipper ( fly ). Check ! Shirt tucked in , shirt buttons buttoned , collar
down and suit or sport coat free of lint and dandruff . Check ! No gravy or other stains on tie or shirt . Check ! Suit pants creased so you could “ cut your hand on the crease .” Check ! Hair trimmed and combed . Check ! It ’ s the same criteria with a man ’ s beard . It ’ s common sense , right ? “ No so fast , my friend .” Common sense is a key ingredient that seems to be absent in many places and within many craniums . The second thing I do when I meet someone for the first time ? Yep , I check their eye color . The second thing , I check their shoes . Won ’ t shine their shoes , what other small things won ’ t they do ?
“ If you look good , you feel good , and if you feel good , you do good .” - Georges St-Paul often morph into big things that can ‘ explode .’