about face: adapting military style leadership to a civilian organization
DESCRIPTION
As the US winds down from many years of war, new veterans are returning to the civilian workforce. With them they bring leadership skills honed by years of war. Their skills will be a tremendous asset to their civilian employers, but they must first adapt their leadership style to a style that is more palpable to civilians.TRANSCRIPT
About Face
Adapting Military Style Leadership to a Civilian Organization
A Nation at War
Approximately 2.5 million veterans have served in Iraq or Afghanistan
Roughly 250,000 veterans leave the military each year
These veterans must reintegrate into the civilian world
Will these veterans “fit” in a civilian organization?
Thesis
Though military and civilian leadership styles may be different in some ways, they are similar in others, and these veterans’ leadership skills will help them to succeed in the civilian workforce.
These new veterans will be strong assets to civilian organizations, but they will need to adapt their leadership styles to civilian society.
Areas of Comparison
Structure Hierarchy of command and
accountability Communication
Transferal of information from one individual to another
Performance Management Defining, measuring, and improving
performance
Military Command Structure
Very hierarchical
Position applies across
organization
Each member of work team
has a specific job
Manager has
complete control of
teamNot much autonomy
or empowerm
ent
Teams very diverse
Civilian Organizational Structure
More flat command structure
Less lower level managers
Position doesn’t necessarily apply company wide
More autonomy and empowerment
Less diverse due to geographic hiring process
Aspects of Communication
MILITARY
Mostly direct communication Proxemics
In your face! Paralanguage
Rough tone Kinesics
Military courtesies Facial and Eye Behavior
Direct eye contact meant to show intimidation
CIVILIAN
Mostly two-way communication
Proxemics Social distance
Paralanguage Calm cool tone
Kinesics Comfortable posture
Facial and Eye Behavior Direct eye contact meant
to show interest
Performance Management
MILITARY
Written or verbal counseling Define subordinate’s roles Discuss performance
issues Define goals Create a plan of action to
correct issues and reach goals
Monitor performance Periodically reassess
performance
CIVILIAN
Performance evaluations Define subordinate’s
roles Discuss performance
issues Define goals Create a plan of action
to correct issues and reach goals
Monitor performance Periodically reassess
performance
Same
Thing!
Correcting Poor Performance
MILITARY
Physical exercise
Loss of pay
Loss of rank
Extra duty during
time off
Extra training
CIVILIAN
Dismissal
Verbal warning
Written counselin
g statement
Disciplinary meeting
Probationary period
Why Are Military Leaders So Harsh?
In a time of war, decisions must be made quickly
Quick decisions necessitate direct communication
Individuals’ lives rely on following orders
Following orders in peacetime means discipline in wartime
Leaders and subordinates develop strong relationships due to military lifestyle
How Can Veteran Leaders “Fit” In?
First, understand that in a civilian organization, rank doesn’t matter
Second, use two way communication and encourage feedback
Third, focus more on mentoring, less on punishment
Lastly, strive to establish strong and trusting relationships with peers and subordinates
Questions?