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My time spent in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) profoundly influenced my early development and shaped the leader I’m today. From the rigors of basic training to life-threatening situations on the battlefield, my military experience taught me invaluable lessons – lessons that I have successfully translated into a thriving business profession.
I’m in no way attempting to directly equate military service with running a business. That said, there is undoubtedly a tremendous amount of wisdom and lessons from military experiences that bring significant value to the corporate environment.
1. Clarity of mission
In the military, success begins with understanding your mission. A well-defined mission provides a clear “North Star,” a guiding light that drives motion and strategy. Explains the “why” of each order, providing the motivation crucial to survive potentially life-threatening scenarios.
Maintaining this lesson in my business life has allowed me to realize clarity of purpose.
SetSchedule’s ultimate goal is to revolutionize the real estate industry, and this ambition stems from creating value for our clients.
This understanding serves to unite our team, providing a clear and credible vision that guides our day by day work.
2. Definitely under pressure
In the military, situations often require easy decisions. There is no room for indecision; hesitation can result in disastrous consequences.
The business sphere also, although less life-threatening, sometimes requires quick decision-making. Market conditions can change rapidly, unexpected situations may arise, or difficult decisions may have to be made.
My military life helped in such scenarios, ensuring quick and decisive motion even under undesirable pressure.
3. Responsibility and accountability
In the IDF, responsibility went beyond my personal duties – it included the lives and well-being of my comrades. The weight of this responsibility necessitated a high degree of accountability.
This degree of responsibility has proven to be essential in business, especially in the starting.
As CEO, my decisions impact not only the financial success of our company, but also the livelihoods of all our employees.
This sense of responsibility cultivates an atmosphere of trust and motivates high standards of performance throughout the organization.
4. Adaptability and resilience
Military service undoubtedly shapes one thing: resilience.
It teaches us the right way to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and not break down in the face of adversity. Because a failed mission doesn’t have to be the end; it is a likelihood to evaluate, adapt and emerge stronger from the situation.
Treating failures as learning opportunities is fundamental to business. When this resilience and adaptability extends to your employees, they may effortlessly promote a culture of continuous improvement, even in the face of adversity.
5. Precise communication
Open communication is a matter of life or death in the IDF. No one has time for ambiguity because it is so good at creating misunderstandings and risking lives and missions. Through military training, I honed my communication skills to be precise, clear and easy.
In business, clear communication is an equally invaluable advantage. Whether it’s formulating a strategic vision, delegating tasks or providing feedback, accurate communication ensures that everybody is on the same page, supporting a harmonious and efficient work environment.
6. Mentoring and leader development
The military is the perfect place to learn all the pieces I discussed and teach them.
At the IDF, I used to be taught the right way to discover potential, nurture skills and empower individuals – preparing them to take on leadership positions in the future.
With this data gained in the military, I at all times strive to mentor team leaders and be open to the learning opportunities they convey.
7. Teamwork and cohesion
Last, but definitely the most vital, military service instills a deep sense of camaraderie. There is a shared commitment to the mission in which you all share. It’s the team that counts, not the individual – an ethos crucial to success on the battlefield.
We always emphasize the value of cooperation at SetSchedule. Our collective success depends on each person playing their role effectively, working as a whole moderately than in competition with each other.
Drawing on my military experience in shaping my leadership style inside the company has proven invaluable, providing insightful knowledge, building resilience and fostering a team-oriented approach.
The lessons learned proceed to guide SetSchedule’s mission and growth, shaping our company culture and business strategies. These tactics, supplemented with crucial adaptations for the corporate world, provide powerful tools for business leadership, improving operations and creating a cohesive team.
The real estate industry needs a decisive approach. One with a clear mission, unwavering resilience and a dedicated, united team.