In business, it isn’t always easy to know which leadership style you should adopt. There are just too many options and, to be honest, there’s no single overarching winner. Sometimes, then, the best option for finding your leadership groove is to simply look to the people who organize their teams the best. And, when you think about it, military drill sergeants definitely fit that bill.
While your tactics will definitely vary, there are many business lessons hidden in how drill sergeants handle their leadership roles. This is something that big business leaders, including Jeff Bezos, realized a long time ago, with huge success. Here, we’re going to consider three things that drill sergeants do, which you can directly transplant into a business setting.
# 1 – Establish a Clear Mission
In the military, unclear missions can cost lives. The stakes might not be quite as high within a business setting, but you’ll still suffer if you don’t outline tasks in a way that’s straightforward and consistent for your team to get behind.
Just as a military leader will define clear roles at the start of each day, this is a focus that you should perfect at the delegation stage. Ideally, you want to outline not only the project focus, but also specifics like audience, tone, and goals. These things should remain consistent, allowing for regular checkins according to a stable brief that allows your team to work as quickly and efficiently as possible at all times.
# 2 – Provide Tools for Your Team to Thrive
Equipment is a huge priority in the military, where each individual will have everything from a well-serviced firearm to protective equipment and even spare MOLLE clips to keep all of their equipment safe. All of which they’ll need close to hand, even when they’re out on the field.
Now, obviously, the specifics of in-business equipment are pretty different, but the general message is the same – you need to give your team the right tools to thrive wherever they are. Broadly, this will mean downloading the right software, which should simplify everything from communication to project management. You should also think about implementing remote access, and generally being sure that work can run smoothly, even on out-of-office days.
# 3 – Trust Some Responsibility to Your Team
Military leaders and drill sergeants need to maintain absolute control at all times. Do they do that by breathing down their soldier’s necks out on the field? No. Often, they actually achieve that overarching control by choosing their top performers and knowing when to delegate decision-making and authority to receive the best results.
This allows their teams to develop skills and a sense of responsibility, while also allowing leaders to focus their attention where it’s most needed at any given time. A similar approach could prove just as effective in business, ensuring that you improve efficiency and employee motivation through responsibility, while also making sure that you always have access to the right support in the moment.
Military operations run with an enviable amount of speed and efficiency. Achieve the same results in your company by stealing these techniques.
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