Leadership isn’t about titles but the ability to thrive under pressure, adapt to chaos, and inspire teams to achieve the impossible. Few environments test these skills like the military — and few transitions are as powerful as moving from defence to the boardroom.
In this article, I share nine lessons and tools from my professional journey. By embracing these insights, you can harness your experiences to achieve remarkable success and empower yourself to inspire others along the way.
At the National Defence Academy (NDA), we didn’t just run; we often ran with our issued bicycles over our heads. It wasn’t just physical endurance; it was mental resilience. The message was clear: Do your best and then some.
Military training teaches you to push beyond perceived limits. It’s not about the task; it’s about the mindset. Overcoming challenges provides a strong sense of achievement and motivation.
In the corporate world, this translates to tackling challenges head-on, even when the odds appear to be against you. Whether it’s leading a turnaround or navigating a crisis, the art of staying calm under pressure is invaluable.
Resilience relies on perseverance and adaptability. Perseverance provides the strength to face challenges, while adaptability allows flexibility in response to change. Together, they help you overcome setbacks and succeed under pressure.
Adopt the ‘f#^k it attitude’ (as I call it in my book Achieving Success by Failing More). This mindset is about giving your best and then letting go of the outcome. It’s not about being reckless but about making bold decisions without the fear of failure. It’s about understanding that failure is a part of the journey and is often the stepping stone to success.
I dreamed of being a fighter pilot. But even after completing my solo flying in piston-engine aircraft, when I didn’t make the cut, I transitioned to the logistics branch of the Air Force. At first, it felt like a failure. But it turned out to be a blessing. Logistics taught me strategic thinking, resource optimization, and the art of turning constraints into opportunities.
The military teaches you to adapt. When Plan A fails, you pivot to Plan B — and make it work.
In business, adaptability is key. Markets shift, technologies evolve, and competitors emerge. Leaders who can pivot without losing sight of the mission thrive.
Adaptability hinges on openness and flexibility. Openness involves embracing new ideas and challenges, while flexibility allows adjustments to meet changing circumstances. Together, they enhance our ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
Use the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), a framework developed by military strategist and fighter pilot John Boyd. It’s a powerful tool for decision-making in fast-changing environments.
Serving in the Air Force, I learned that leadership isn’t about barking orders; it’s about earning trust. Whether leading a team during a critical mission or later managing logistics for a multinational operation, the principles were the same: clarity, communication, and collaboration. In the military, you can’t reward your team by giving them a raise or bonus like in the business world. You have to leverage duty, patriotism, and sacrifice through personal example. Trust is at the core of motivation, which binds high-performing teams together.
Military leadership is about creating a culture of trust and accountability.
In the corporate world, trust is the foundation of high-performing teams. Without it, even the best strategies don’t work.
Strong leadership in high-pressure situations requires clarity and composure. Clarity involves communicating goals and roles, while composure means staying calm and building trust. Together, they create a foundation for decisive action and team resilience.
Practice radical transparency. Share the “why” behind decisions, admit mistakes, and celebrate wins as a team. Transparency builds trust and fosters loyalty.
At Reliance, after leading the processes and systems domain for a petroleum retail project, I was tasked with building a logistics business unit from scratch. My military logistics and supply chain management background gave me a unique edge. I understood the importance of precision, planning, and execution.
Military logistics is about delivering results with limited resources. It’s a skill that translates seamlessly into business.
Resource constraints are a reality in startups and large enterprises alike. Leaders who can do more with less can create sustainable growth.
Successful execution relies on three key elements: questioning, analysis, and follow-through. Questioning examines the purpose and objectives for clarity. Analysis breaks down data to identify risks and opportunities. Follow-through ensures we implement plans, measure results and make adjustments where necessary. When these elements align, execution is both precise and effective.
Use the 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle). This principle states that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In business, this means that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. You can significantly improve your efficiency and impact by identifying and focusing on the 20% of activities that deliver 80% of the results.
At Maersk, I led the inland container business in South Asia despite having no prior experience in shipping. My military training taught me to learn fast and confidently to lead, even in unfamiliar territory.
The military teaches you to lead in any environment, even when you’re not the expert.
Leaders must often step into uncharted waters in today’s fast-paced business world. The ability to learn quickly and inspire confidence is critical.
Learning thrives on curiosity and adaptability. Curiosity drives exploration, while adaptability allows for adjustment to new information and changes. Together, they promote growth and push boundaries.
Embrace lifelong learning. Dedicate time every day to reading, networking, and upskilling. As mentioned in my book, investing in yourself has the highest ROI.
In the Air Force, I learned the importance of gratitude. Whether thanking a team member for their effort or acknowledging a senior’s guidance, gratitude builds morale and strengthens bonds.
Gratitude isn’t just a virtue; it’s a leadership strategy.
In the corporate world, gratitude fosters a positive culture and boosts employee engagement.
Gratitude hinges on awareness and connection. Awareness helps us recognize the value in what we receive, while connection ties us to meaningful people and experiences. When these elements combine, gratitude deepens, fostering fulfilment and appreciation.
Start a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for each day. Gratitude can transform your mindset and leadership style.
After decades in the corporate world, I set up my own consulting firm, Apex Group. My military background gave me the resilience to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Military leadership prepares you for the unpredictability of entrepreneurship.
Whether you’re leading a startup or a Fortune 500 company, resilience is key.
Entrepreneurship depends on vision and resilience. Vision identifies opportunities and drives innovation, while resilience helps navigate challenges and setbacks. Together, they make ventures successful.
Use the 100:10:3:1 Rule for decision-making. Explore 100 options, shortlist 10, make 3 offers, and close 1 deal. This framework, which I mention in my book, ensures thoroughness without paralysis.
Mentoring startups like Maritime World Services taught me the importance of focus and perseverance. Many founders get distracted by shiny opportunities. My military training helped me guide them to stay the course and pivot when needed.
In the military, the focus of a mission is non-negotiable. The same applies to business.
Leaders must help their teams stay focused on the core mission, even when distractions abound, and be ready to pivot when necessary.
Mentoring relies on empathy and empowerment. Empathy fosters understanding, while empowerment builds confidence and guides decision-making. Together, they promote growth and mutual respect.
Use the F.O.C.U.S Framework (Follow One Course Until Successful). I live by this mantra and share it in my book.
As I moved from corporate leadership to advisory roles, I embraced Chip Conley’s idea of the “modern elder. “ This idea focuses on combining wisdom with curiosity and prioritizing learning in leadership.
Leadership is a journey, not a destination.
Whether you’re a CEO or an advisor, you must stay curious and look for new ideas.
A modern elder embodies wisdom and humility. Wisdom from experience allows for valuable insights, while humility ensures that this knowledge fosters learning and collaboration. Balancing these traits, a modern elder acts as both teacher and learner in a rapidly changing world.
Dedicate time weekly to reflection and learning. As I mentioned in my book, this habit keeps you sharp and relevant.
Like the battlefield, the boardroom demands leaders who can inspire, adapt, and deliver. If you’ve served in the military, you’re already equipped with the skills to excel in the corporate world. The question is: Are you ready to bring your unique leadership style to the table?
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I write about leadership, technology, and startups and offer actionable advice for business owners during transitions. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.