Following a weekend of parades, parties, and the official kick-off of the summer season, it is time to head back to work and get back to the daily grind. But before we do, the team at ParadoxLabs would like to take a few moments to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation and our freedom. We often get caught up in the festivities of the weekend and forget how important Memorial Day is to veterans, airmen, sailors, marines, and soldiers. Since 1868, our nation has come together as one to honor the courage and valor of those who have paid with their lives out of devotion to our country.
In today’s ever changing world, we must look to our military for guidance—guidance for the present and for the future. Instead of just honoring these men and women on holidays, we can honor them every day by replicating their desire for excellence and imitating their integrity, their courage, and their ability to persevere.
“It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Military training and experience provides many lessons that business owners can easily apply to the workplace. To honor our military we looked at some of America’s greatest generals and have extracted some valuable lessons that can help you find the road to victory!
George Washington
Washington’s army was small and spread out over the entire east coast; but the size of his army did not matter. Washington and his men were able to defeat the greatest army in the world at the time because of Washington’s persistence, self-discipline, integrity, and courage.
Lesson: Size does not matter.
The number of people in your business is not what’s important; it is the work you do as a leader to guide your team that matters.
General Robert E. Lee
Regardless of the side of the war Lee fought for, he was admired as a leader and was revered by his men. As a matter-of-fact, most historians call him the greatest general of the Civil War. His modest nature, chivalrous demeanor, and sense of duty to his men earned him the respect of his men and inspired them to carry on no matter what challenge or obstacle got in their way.
Lesson: Earn the respect of your troops.
When you treat your team kindly and show them compassion and understanding, they will in turn respect you. A team is only as good as the leader providing them direction.
Ulysses S. Grant
Grant’s road to success was bumpy and filled with numerous mistakes. However, no matter how many times life slapped him in the face, causing most others to throw in the towel- Grant persevered. His tenacity and determination allowed him to look challenges straight in the eye and his keen instincts equipped him to lead men into battle. And lead he did. Instead of commanding from an office in the capital-he stood with the Army of Potomac through good and bad.
Lesson: Don’t give up.
As a business owner, mistakes can be painful. However, if you have the courage to learn from mistakes and believe that obstacles only win if you let them, you can show your employees that giving up is never an option.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Successful leaders, such as Eisenhower, inspired trust, offered a vision, and had the foresight to provide the needed training to his troops to help them realize that vision. He knew that through inspiring trust, his men would let go of their fear, accept responsibility, and work together to overcome the enemy.
Lesson: Trust inspires cooperation.
The take away for business owners is that when your staff is all on the same page, working together, your vision for success can be realized.
H. Norman Schwarzkopf
One of the most endearing qualities of Norman Schwarzkopf remains his reputation for standing up for the welfare of his soldiers. Military history shows us that he was an officer willing to take any risk to ensure the safety of the men and women under his command.
Lesson: Stand by your team.
In the world of business, standing by your employees at all times, including when facing strain and adversity, ensures better productivity and builds mutual trust and respect.
These five men have left us with a legacy of freedom, an understanding of the human spirit, and the value of sacrifice, hard work and virtue. More importantly, they taught us what it means to love our country. Their wise minds, their courageous hearts, their determination for excellence, and their resolve in their actions turned these ordinary men into true American heroes that we should all strive to emulate in purpose and in life. Abraham Lincoln’s quote seems to say this best: “Gold is good in its place; but living, brave, patriotic men, are better than gold.”
We are in your debt and we thank you.