According to Marine officers Timothy Saint and Nicholas Smith, there are similarities between managing the war in Iraq and managing an office. They ‘learned a lot about leadership and management’ that they wish someone had told them while they were boot lieutenants during their service in Iraq. Both believe that most of what they learned applies to young managers in the corporate world.

Smith was a platoon commander for one tour to Iraq and an executive officer for his second tour, while Saint was a platoon commander on both tours and in between worked on the battalion staff. They offer some very timely corporate leadership lessons culled from the battlefield. They believe these management lessons, useful in a military war, will also be useful in the corporate battlefield. The lessons are basic, common sense, and mostly taken for granted in everyday life.

Firstly, listen and show respect. ‘If your subordinate’s way is 60% as good as your way, and the person who has to execute it is the subordinate, let him have his way. Why? He will execute his plan twice as well as yours simply because it is his.’

Secondly, inspect what you expect. ‘Our favorite Marine Corps catchphrase. It shows that you care about the work. Plus, the good ones like being inspected and the bad ones need it. This has to be true everywhere.’

Another one is get over yourself. ‘Nobody gives a crap about your MBA or anything else you’ve done. Learn the ropes and show competence before you try to get a reputation for being a brilliant innovator and bold reformer.’

And yet another is stick to your guns. ‘If a new plan or policy is unpopular or a major change to the status quo, people will be testing your will.’

Via Business Insider