13 KEY LEARNINGS FROM MY CORPORATE JOURNEY AS A MILITARY VETERAN!

Last week, my Army friend, a seasoned professional in the Corporate world, gave me a buzz and asked a big question: "Can you jot down learnings from your time in the corporate world as a veteran?".

It got me thinking. What are my learnings as a veteran in the last 30 years in the corporate world? What changes did I make to adapt and thrive?

My journey through the corporate landscape has been an interesting mix, spanning different sectors, roles, and companies. It's been nothing short of fascinating.

After reflecting on his question for a while, I came up with a quick list of 13 takeaways/learnings.

Let us shoot!

1)????? We start with the right foot forward - Being a veteran commands respect in both Indian and American companies. It's like we're carrying this legacy from day one. I have experienced this in all the companies I have worked. How we build on it, though, that's up to us. Any veteran who has transitioned will vouch for this. Even the tough union leaders respected us because of our legacy. I have also seen many veterans who lost respect because of their arrogance, lack of integrity etc.

2)????? Unlearning some military behaviour is the key - This is crucial for any veteran transitioning to the corporate world. It is a huge paradigm shift for veterans. Earlier we understand and adapt, it is good for us. You know how it is in the armed forces—very structured and disciplined. In the corporate world, we must shed some of those habits and adapt to a different culture to thrive. I remember a retired colonel taking a mock interview with me asking whether someone would serve him a cup of coffee. I told him, even my CEO goes and takes coffee from the vending machine!

3)????? Understanding the workplace landscape - Unlike the military, where things are pretty standardized, every corporation has its own vibe. Each company I worked for was different: an Indian public sector bank, a Middle Eastern bank, an American financial services company, an Indian IT company, and an American IT company. Understanding and syncing with each company’s unique culture quickly can make all the difference. The military teaches us quick adaptability. Isn’t it?

4)????? Seek help, and you will get it - In the military, you're part of a tight-knit community and someone always has your back. In the corporate world, people are willing to help, but you’ve got to reach out and ask. Help is only an arm’s length away! Don’t be shy! I have reached out many times both inside the organisation and outside of it. People have always helped.

5)????? Build relationships - This is a no-brainer for veterans. We are generally good at it. It's all about forging strong, professional bonds over time. Just like in the military, building professional and trustworthy relationships goes a long way. I realized early on that a veteran should have a mentor within the organization. Get one. They can help you navigate the corporate maze.

6)????? Excelling in your job is essential - Unlike the military, where there's sometimes a bit more leeway, in corporate life, your performance speaks volumes. You are only as good as your last performance. It is a zero-tolerance area!

7)????? Understand your boss - You don't always get to choose your boss! In the Army, we all pass through the same filters and know what to expect. In the corporate world, figuring out your boss’s working style, talking to them about their expectations and meeting them can smooth things over big time. In one of the organisations, within two years, ?I reported to four different bosses due to restructuring in the organisation!

8)????? Respecting your team - This is straight out of the military playbook, right? Your team's success is your success, and vice versa. Leading from the front and showing respect to the last member of the team go a long way.

9)????? Perception is reality – This is unique to the corporate world and veterans should understand this well. In global workplace where inside news travel faster than light, managing perceptions becomes important. How others perceive you can greatly impact your career. Be mindful of how you present yourself and your work. With many stakeholders – both local and global - how others see you can impact your career path, so managing that perception is key.

10)?? Being visible - Participate in company events, and get involved in CSR initiatives—being seen and making an impact beyond your job description can elevate your profile.

11)?? No silos please - Collaboration is key to success. In the corporate world, cross-functional projects are common. Identify your key stakeholders and establish good collaborative partnerships with them. For example, as a security professional, my key stakeholders were my peers in the Admin, HR, IT, Legal, Government Affairs and InfoSec departments apart from business verticals.

12)?? Understand the business - When you join a corporate company, you need to know what business the company is in. Meet your peers in other departments and understand their functions. This will not only help you get a better understanding of the company’s business as a whole but also help you understand how other departments work.

13)?? Be an active member of the community – In whichever field you choose, be part of the industry community. Attend events, and participate. People help those who help others. When you are taking part and helping others, you can expect reciprocity from others. Share your best practices unless it is company confidential. During my career, my door was always open to anyone who needed help/guidance. I don’t know how many visited our sprawling Cisco campus with its state-of-the-art Security command centre to understand and learn.

Bonus nugget - During your first 90 days, observe and learn like a sponge. Keep quiet, absorb how things work, and only then start to suggest changes. My favourite book is the HBR Classic “First 90 Days by Michael Watkins”. Every veteran should have a copy and read it.

Those are my quick takeaways. Each one comes from lessons learned in the trenches of corporate life, where being a veteran isn't just about what you know—it's about how you adapt and thrive.

What have been your learnings? Please share it in the comments section. Let us create a master list which will come in handy to veterans who transition into the civilian workforce.

POSTSCRIPT – Are you a transitioning veteran? This repository of 12 articles on transition may be helpful to you. Check it out - https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7189142069909569536/

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