There is so much alignment between great military powers and great businesses.
Unfortunately, not enough of what works in the military is applied to commerce.
Here is what creates great miliary powers that endure:
Leadership: A great military must have strong leadership at all levels. This means having leaders who are decisive, competent, and inspiring. Great military leaders are usually brilliant strategists and tacticians. They also know how to leverage their additional talents, for example:
- Julius Caesar: a charismatic leader who was able to inspire his troops to great feats of courage.
- Napoleon Bonaparte: a master of logistics and was able to move his armies quickly and efficiently.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower: a master of logistics and was able to plan and execute complex military operations.
Training: A great military must have well-trained soldiers. This means providing them with the best possible training in weapons, tactics, and leadership.
Technology: A great military must have access to the latest technology. This means having the best weapons, communications systems, and intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Logistics: A great military must have a strong logistical system. This means having the ability to move troops and supplies quickly and efficiently.
Communication: A great military knows how important clear, concise and precise communication is and how to deliver it consistently.
Morale: A great military must have high morale. This means having soldiers who are motivated, confident, and willing to fight for their country.
Adaptability: A great military must be adaptable to change. The world is constantly evolving, so just because something is working at this moment does not mean it is necessarily fit for purpose in the future.
Debrief: every mission has an intensive debrief designed to capture the learnings and work out how to apply them to future missions.
The reality is that the fundamentals of building a business are not so different from those for winning a war…
