Over the last few years, I’ve had the good fortune to work with many U.S. military veterans who are now in the private sector.
There was no special treatment here because of their service. They landed on the “high potential / high performer” lists when their employers conducted their annual succession planning processes.
My client companies simply wanted to invest in key talent to prepare them for progression into higher leadership ranks or to lead more complex initiatives.
Over this stretch, I’ve noticed a few similarities among veterans that make them stand out.
- Commitment – If a veteran believes in your company’s vision and mission, they are all in. Now, I suppose we could say that about most employees. But there’s something about their commitment to a meaningful purpose that drives the next two hallmark qualities and elevates their ability to engage and lead others. Their commitment is to the whole, not only certain parts of the organization and not only to themselves. They are committed to the success of the entire enterprise and, therefore, they prioritize actions and behave in ways that serve the end-game.
- Composure – They tend to be grounded and remain calm under pressure. Situations that create stress or chaos for many often don’t phase these vets. Maybe this is because they’re trained for pressure, trained to respond to crises. This is particularly true, I’ve noticed, with those who have seen combat. Some of these folks have experienced events that most of us, fortunately, never will. So our day-to-day business challenges have less power to disrupt them. They keep their cool and go about problem-solving in a thoughtful, planned out manner.
- Collaboration – There’s a humility I’ve noticed with all the veterans I’ve coached. Yes, they have their own ambitions and want to grow in their careers. But teamwork, partnership and having one another’s back seems hardwired into a veteran. While it can take a moment to adjust to the private sector where collaboration and alignment are more the norm than hierarchical, top-down decision-making, once that mental transition occurs, you’re going to have one of the best teammates and leaders on the block.
If you have open positions and are looking for candidates with these leadership qualities, please consider a veteran. One resource for companies interested in hiring veterans that was recommended is the Bob Woodruff Foundation:
https://bobwoodrufffoundation.yourjobpath.com/employers
And if you’re a veteran looking for job search support, there are tools and resources you might find helpful here:
https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/veteran-resources/
To those veterans I’ve coached, thank you for serving in our military and taking on responsibilities and sacrifices in order to keep our nation safe. You’re an inspiring crew and it’s been my pleasure to support your goals and growth!