Military leaders typically possess exceptional leadership abilities and traits. Many of these attributes can be transferred to the civilian workplace.
Leadership in the military is founded upon selflessness and an obligation to serve others. These traits make leaders in business particularly valuable assets.
1. Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is the capacity to follow through on a plan and complete tasks successfully. It serves as the cornerstone that allows individuals to achieve their objectives while keeping an upbeat outlook.
In the military, this is an integral component of cadet training and something soldiers must uphold even after leaving service. Cadets learn to obey orders and complete tasks correctly even if it means going against their will.
They must also be organised and learn how to prioritize their time efficiently. Doing this helps them maintain a balance between personal and professional commitments, which is an invaluable skill for any leader.
Working hard but lacking discipline can be a useful skill to have in the workplace, as many people strive for success but lack the drive to reach their full potential. If you can develop the discipline to put in the extra time and effort towards reaching goals, you’ll likely see greater success at work.
At home, this can be a useful skill to have when trying to balance family life and work responsibilities. It’s essential that you are able to separate personal matters from work duties and possess self-discipline when it comes to spending quality time with family members.
2. Initiative
Initiative is a vital leadership trait in the military. It allows you to assess and carry out tasks independently without needing approval from others.
Teamwork is essential in the military, and having good teamwork skills can be a huge advantage in any workplace. Working well with others is an essential skill set required for leaders in any military setting – making you an invaluable asset that employers value highly.
Some of history’s greatest leaders have demonstrated the necessity of taking initiative and acting without waiting for someone else to tell you what to do. One iconic example is when Marines charged into an enemy firefight despite knowing they were outnumbered by their adversary.
Another way to boost initiative is by encouraging Soldiers to solve problems for themselves. This strategy works especially well if they are in a wartime environment where communication with other Soldiers may be challenging.
Additionally, leadership training and support should be offered to subordinates when they have done something incorrectly. Doing this demonstrates to Soldiers that their leaders care about them and want them to achieve success.
For the Army to become more adaptable and combat-ready, it must enhance its leadership training and create a climate where Soldiers feel confident exercising reasonable initiative. To accomplish this goal, an organized initiative model should be introduced into the Basic Leader Course (BLC), which serves as foundational training for all NCOs.
3. Critical Thinking
When asked to address a problem or issue, military officers must use critical thinking skills. This ability involves analyzing information, formulating an opinion and determining whether the source is credible or not.
Leaders must possess strong critical thinking abilities when the military environment is complex and uncertain, as any wrong decision could have devastating results.
Therefore, developing intellectual capacity is especially crucial for future officers who will then apply it on the job once they have graduated from military academies. Unfortunately, critical thinking is an acquired talent that needs nurturing in a military institution that provides officers with real opportunities to exercise it during their professional careers.
Additionally, critical thinking helps build and strengthen trust within the chain of command, since every level depends on how much confidence subordinates have in their leaders and vice versa.
Therefore, the Army must foster and encourage critical thinking among its officers in order to strengthen the military chain of command. Doing this will guarantee leaders are able to make the best decisions for their organizations, while subordinates can follow them without hesitation or confusion.
4. Teamwork
Teamwork is an essential skill for leadership. It enables groups to come together and tackle tasks that would be impossible if individuals worked alone. Furthermore, teamwork fosters a sense of camaraderie among members and encourages them to rely on one another.
Teamwork makes tasks simpler to finish, which in turn results in increased productivity. Furthermore, teamwork provides an avenue to overcome any obstacles that would have otherwise hindered progress.
The military understands the significance of teamwork for success, and have fostered a leadership culture that emphasizes it. They believe that having diverse personnel working together will bring fresh perspectives to the table.
Another essential leadership skill is creating a compelling vision for your team. When leaders provide this clarity, people respond with greater motivation and dedication to accomplishing tasks at hand.
They understand the importance of communicating with empathy so subordinates feel comfortable sharing their problems and worries. Doing this will guarantee everyone has a voice and is recognized for their role in fulfilling the overall mission.
Furthermore, if a team member is performing poorly, the rest of the team can help them improve. They can offer feedback on what might be causing the issue and offer solutions. Furthermore, they can discuss what lessons were learned from this experience which will enable them to do it better next time around.
5. Communication
Leadership requires effective communication abilities. This trait is especially crucial for military leaders who often face difficult circumstances.
Leaders must communicate effectively with subordinates. This involves outlining a compelling vision, encouraging teamwork, and cultivating an atmosphere of trust.
One essential skill for military leaders is their capacity to persuade others. Much of military work involves dealing with non-military personnel, including policy makers, so leaders must be able to effectively convey key messages without alienating their audience.
When discussing options for dealing with a terrorist group such as ISIL, senior military leaders must be able to explain the broad array of solutions that can meet national security objectives. While certain policymakers may not support using ground forces, there are multiple actions that could effectively accomplish their desired outcome.
Particularly when dealing with civilian employees, a well-educated senior military leader should be able to simplify an issue down to its core principle and present a persuasive case for implementing certain options.
Another essential leadership skill is the capacity for confidence. This trait is especially essential in military leadership, where leaders must be able to overcome setbacks and still guide their units toward victory.
6. Leadership Skills
Leaders are expected to make decisions under duress, which requires strategic thinking and the capacity for asking pertinent questions. Furthermore, they have a role in building and motivating teams; looking out for their wellbeing, supporting individual growth, rewarding successes – all with the aim of building an optimistic team that’s confident in completing its assigned missions.
Leadership abilities are acquired through a rigorous series of training, education and experiential events in the military. While these endeavors tend to be more costly and time-consuming than similar programs offered in industry or government, they produce highly effective leaders.
The military places great emphasis on leadership development, especially during times of combat. This process is designed to produce leaders capable of leading their troops through challenging circumstances and obstacles.
A successful military leader must possess both tenacity and flexibility. This combination allows them to find solutions to problems or reach goals even when it seems impossible.
Another essential leadership skill is initiative. This trait requires the capacity to think ahead and plan for the future, even when circumstances appear overwhelming at present.
A good leader always looks out for their employees and Soldiers’ best interests. This includes appreciating and respecting their work, treating them with respect and honesty, setting high standards for themselves and others, communicating effectively among peers, civilians, families, and command. A leader also knows how to build trust within peers, civilians, families, and command structures.
