Business Myths About Military Leaders – Myth #1
I blame the movie Patton. In today’s business world, people assume autocratic, top down leadership prevails in our military and that military leaders are not prepared for the less rigid world of business leadership. This is a myth!
Just like all civilian business leaders are not like Michael Douglas in Wall Street, all military officers are not like George C. Scott in Patton. Many business leaders without a military background have bought into the way Hollywood portrays military officers.
Military Leadership Myths
I have spent 6 times more of my life in business than I did in the military. But, I deal with this bias weekly. When I did an informal survey of former military officers this was the #1 misperception they have encountered in the business world as well.
The comments they posted on LinkedIn are telling. Here is one comment that is representative of the others:
Jim:
I’ve been blessed to have a military career in the reserves and a civilian career and was able to see both sides simultaneously. The biggest misconception civilian business people have is that the military leadership is purely autocratic.
Autocracy Fact
Autocratic leadership in the military is as ineffective in that setting as it is in business. Today’s soldiers are the smartest, most educated and independent thinking individuals to ever serve our country.
These modern day warriors do not unthinkingly follow orders. The best leaders I worked for when I served, allowed me to challenge their thought processes in order to insure the best solutions.
When I sit with my father, General Jim Anderson, and watch war movies, we laugh. Hollywood consistently portrays the majority of the military leaders as autocrats.
The truth is there are a few misguided individuals in the military who believe that is the way to lead. But, Hollywood has it wrong. They are in the minority.
In fact, I have encountered as many autocratic leaders who never served in the military as ones that did serve. There is no better place than the military to educate someone on the downsides of autocracy.
Business Problem:
Business leaders who ignore the advice of others and expect blind loyalty and execution of their plans.
My Solution:
An organization like that needs a leader with a military background.
The Bottom Line
The autocratic leader in today’s military does not last. Just like an autocratic leader in business, they may have people initially comply with their orders, but their success is short lived.
Blind compliance to military commanders is the stuff of history and Hollywood. Our warriors no longer use Napoleonic tactics or the horse cavalry. Those strategies are as outdated as the autocratic leader.
Businesses must overcome this myth as they look at hiring and/or promoting men and women who served our country honorably. They can be the solution to the problems businesses are having finding quality leaders.
Military personnel have been trained and they have led people in an environment where autocratic leadership is passé. If a business wants to have the best odds of avoiding autocratic leadership, I suggest going against the Hollywood stereotype and hire a person from the military.
Question
When have you witnessed an autocratic leader build a loyal and productive organization?
Even autocratic leadership has a place in Business Leadership. It depends on the situation and the speed with which you need to achieve desired goals. The follower readiness and competence are the key determinants of leadership styles.
The transition from autocracy to inspiring leadership is important. It involves both the art and science of leadership to be practiced with deftness and care!!!
I would say that there are times when autocratic DECISIONS are appropriate, but I have not found the situation where autocratic LEADERSHIP is a successful solution.
You are correct. Situational Leadership calls for much more directive leadership based on the circumstances and the people involved. I like Elderd’s comment below yours. It hits the right tone.
Nice one. “Military personnel have been trained and they have led people in an environment where autocratic leadership is passé. If a business wants to have the best odds of avoiding autocratic leadership, I suggest going against the Hollywood stereotype and hire a person from the military”.
This is something those who have served in the military bring to the world of business, thinking on their feet. I agree that there comes a time when the “autocratic” style of running (or doing)SOMETHING or ANYTHING is necessary. We all answer to someone, stand behind the real-life/real-time situation.