Learning to Lead Like a Navy SEAL

By Dennis McCafferty | Posted 2015-09-17

1 of

Learning to Lead Like a Navy SEAL

The qualities of Navy SEALs—mental toughness, a bias for action, decisiveness, creative thinking, adaptability and perseverance—translate into business success.
SEAL-Style Executives Build Trust From the Start

The way these execs conduct business with colleagues, customers and partners demonstrates that doing things the right way is as important as getting them done.
They Exemplify the Five Pillars of Leadership

These executives are moralists, jurists, teachers, stewards and philosophers.
These Executives Are Never Victims

They do not complain about their job demands, nor do they dwell on how unfairly they think their organization has treated them.
They Work Well with Limited Information and Resources

These executives recognize that decisions and actions are based on truths that are shaded in gray, not black and white.
These Executives Are Generous With Peers

They are happy to give their most precious resources—knowledge, time and attention—while acting with humility.
They Transform Fear Into Courage

How? By initiating organization-benefiting actions during moments of adversity.
They Embrace a "Strike First" Mentality

No IT team ever created disruption, after all, by doing something that someone else has done.
These Executives Stay Focused on the Future

They always anticipate what's coming next to take advantage of technology and business shifts.
They Don't Do Drop-Bys During Times of Stress

These executives dig in deep with their colleagues, providing help and support until a crisis is over.
These Executives Get the Essence of Leadership

They understand that leading people means getting them to want to do what the mission requires, while convincing them that they can meet the challenge.
View All Slideshows >

Do you have what it takes to lead like a Navy SEAL? We're not talking about achieving the physical fitness of a SEAL. We're focusing on the characteristics of SEALs that define true leadership ability. In the book First, Fast, Fearless: How to Lead Like a Navy SEAL (McGraw-Hill Professional/available in September), author Brian "Iron Ed" Hiner conveys how the classic qualities of this elite military unit—mental toughness, a bias for action, decisiveness, creative thinking, adaptability and perseverance—readily translate into success in the business world. To further illustrate, we've adapted from the book the following 10 examples of how Navy SEAL-styled IT and business leaders act. They address how to pursue initiatives with integrity, and they remain cool under fire. These leaders understand the need to make good decisions based on limited information, while cultivating a "strike first" strategy that directly leads to disruptive innovation. During his 20 years as a SEAL, Hiner was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" for valor and combat leadership. He now runs the Ed Hiner Group, a leadership and team building consultancy.

Dennis McCafferty is a freelance writer for Baseline Magazine.