25 lessons business owners can learn from the military

If you're an existing or aspiring small business owner, you'll need to acquire good management and leadership skills.

As you develop these skills, you'll realise that the path to business success comes with challenges, uncertainties and fierce competition.

With this in mind, there are valuable lessons and analogies to be drawn between the world of business and the armed services — where strategy, leadership and resilience are paramount.

Military leaders are experts in managing high-stakes situations. They foster teamwork and make critical decisions under pressure. Even in the face of adversity, they excel at adapting to rapidly changing circumstances and meeting their objectives.

These qualities don’t need to be confined to the battlefield. They can be just as relevant for business owners seeking to overcome their own corporate challenges.

In this article, I’m going to list the merits of a good army officer and what business owners can learn from the remarkable leaders who have honed their skills on the front lines.

1. Clear communication

Military leaders excel in concise and effective communication.

Business leaders can benefit from learning how to communicate their vision and expectations clearly to their teams. This can help keep their teams focused on doing what matters — serving the customer.

2. Strategic planning

Military officers are experts in strategic planning and execution.

They analyse situations carefully, set objectives and develop plans to achieve their goals.

Business leaders can adopt these skills to create more effective business strategies.

3. Adaptability

Service men and women often deal with rapidly changing and high-pressure situations.

Business leaders can benefit from learning to adapt to unexpected challenges and making quick, informed decisions in the face of uncertainty.

4. Teamwork and cohesion

Military units thrive on teamwork and cohesion.

By creating a sense of unity among their teams, company managers can encourage collaboration and a shared sense of purpose.

5. Leadership by example

In the military, leaders lead from the front and set the example for their subordinates to follow.

Business leaders can inspire their teams by demonstrating that they have the same dedication and work ethic they expect from others.

6. Decision-making under pressure

Military leaders are trained to make critical decisions under extreme pressure.

Business leaders also face high-stress situations. If they can learn to maintain their composure during these times, they will be more likely to make sound choices.

7. Risk management

Military officers need to be able to assess and manage risks so casualties are minimised and missions are successful.

Company owners can apply similar risk management principles to protect their organisations from potential pitfalls.

8. Discipline and accountability

The military instils discipline and accountability in all its personnel.

This approach can be copied in corporations in a way that promotes responsibility and reliability.

9. Resilience and perseverance

Service people often face setbacks and adversity but are trained to persevere to achieve their objectives.

Company management and employees can similarly learn how to bounce back with determination when they suffer failures or disappointments.

10. Resource and supply chain management

Being able to manage resources and supply chains efficiently is critical if troops are to have what they need when they need it.

When business leaders are able to allocate resources and manage supply chains effectively, this can help reduce waste, keep inventory stocked at optimum levels and minimise lost sales.

11. Supply chain management

The military manages complex supply chains to ensure troops have the necessary resources. Business leaders can study military supply chain practices to improve their own logistics and inventory management processes.

12. Ethical leadership

The military places a strong emphasis on ethical leadership and values. It is held to high standards in this regard.

This approach can be incorporated into corporate governance where leaders and their teams learn the importance of integrity, honesty and the ethical decision-making that will build trust in their firms

13. Training and development

Training and development is a major investment for all armed forces personnel.

Business leaders that prioritise employee training can benefit from teams with enhanced skills, better morale and increased productivity.

14. Unity of command

Military leaders operate under a clear chain of command. This reduces confusion and ensures that everyone knows their role.

Corporations don’t need rigid reporting structures but clear lines of reporting can enhance an organisation’s efficiency.

15. Mission focus

Military missions are driven by a clear sense of purpose.

With compelling mission and vision statements, business owners can motivate their teams and align everyone’s efforts toward reaching a common goal.

16. Embracing technology

Military forces are often at the forefront of cutting-edge technology — for communication, surveillance and weaponry.

By embracing technological advancements and integrating them into their operations, business leaders can ensure their companies stay competitive.

17. Resourcefulness

Military leaders are trained to improvise and make the most of available (and sometimes scarce) resources.

Business leaders can develop a mindset of resourcefulness. By finding creative solutions, they can overcome challenges even when faced with limited means.

18. Crisis management

Military leaders are adept at managing crises and disasters.

Business leaders can learn crisis management skills. They can find ways to prepare for worst-case scenarios and develop contingency and recovery strategies to protect their organisation during challenging times.

19. Broad perspective

Military leaders often operate in international contexts which gives them insight on how to operate from a global perspective.

Business leaders can take a similar approach — by looking at the wider picture to consider opportunities and challenges that may emerge from outside their industry.

20. Continuous improvement

Military organisations constantly look for ways to improve their processes and capabilities.

Business leaders can instil a culture of continuous improvement to drive innovation and efficiency within their companies.

21. Flexibility and adaptation

Military operations require adaptability to changing circumstances.

Business leaders can become more flexible in how they work and delegate. For example, by being open to pivoting when market conditions change.

22. Emotional intelligence

Military leaders are trained to understand and manage their emotions as well as those in their units.

By improving their emotional intelligence, company management teams can to build stronger team relationships which will help them resolve conflicts more effectively.

23. Loyalty and trust

Military leaders need the unwavering loyalty and trust of their subordinates, especially in combat situations.

Business leaders can also cultivate trust by fostering a culture of transparency, consistency and reliability.

24. Cross-functional leadership

In the military, leaders often oversee diverse teams with specialised roles.

Being able to manage and lead team across multiple disciplines can be a valuable skill for company owners.

25. Debriefing and post-action reviews

Military units always conduct thorough debriefings and after-action reviews to learn from their experiences and prepare for future events.

Similar processes can be implemented by business leaders as a way to continuously improve operations and decision-making. For example, after a product launch or marketing campaign.

In summary, there are military principles and practices that can provide valuable insights for achieving success in the corporate world.

Company managers can learn from military leaders in areas such as communication, strategy, leadership, teamwork and discipline. This can help their organisation become more effect