The Working Week 127

Ask most people about military-style management and they'll immediately think of a rigid hierarchy based on command-and-control. But as Wayne hears on the Working Week this week, the reality is somewhat different – and far more applicable to the modern organisation than you might think.

Wayne talks to former fighter pilot, Lt Col Robert "Waldo" Waldman, author of New Fly Solo: Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Partnerships, and Reach New Heights in Business, about what businesses can really learn from the military. And rather surprisingly, the key lessons are all about the value of relationships and how to build partnerships.

As every fighter pilot knows, having a trusted wingman is absolutely critical to your effectiveness and your survival. And the same is true in the civilian world, where you need support from others to fulfil your potential.

Gaining this support requires trust, and that's something that's built via values of integrity, accountability, and service – the same values that underpin relationships between pilots. More than this, it requires individuals who can communicate effectively in high stress situations and can take action and ask for help when adversity strikes.

In other words, its all about relationships, not rank or traditional command-and-control. Indeed, Waldo argues, the most effective military commanders are those who connect with their subordinates on a personal level first and who know that they are not infallible. Remember too, accountability and respect work both ways. If leaders don't demonstrate these key values, how can anyone else be expected to?

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