The Idea in Brief
A culture of adaptability is vital to survival in the armed services. As business executives cope with increasing unpredictability, they can take a page from the military’s book.
Create a personal link with every employee—individually or in gatherings. A direct connection reinforces your message.
Act fast—don’t shoot from the hip but don’t wait for perfection.
Make organizational interests your top priority—don’t let others falter as you prosper.
Set a direction but don’t micromanage—give people the freedom to improvise.
The armed services have been in the business of leadership development much longer than the corporate world has. For more than two centuries, America has trained its officers to be effective leaders in combat and beyond—the U.S. Military Academy at West Point dates to 1802. But warfare has changed, and so has business.
