Mastering the Art of Speed in Business: Learn from Military Leadership Techniques

Success is reserved for those who take action immediately; everyone else is just pretending. If you never take the first step, always hesitant to act, how will you get anywhere?

You won’t believe how many people delay, and procrastinate on this. I recently heard a podcast where a highly successful entrepreneur was interviewed. What stuck with me from the whole podcast is this. When he was asked: “What's the difference between you and a regular entrepreneur?” his answer was: “Speed. While they're sitting around thinking about their next move, I've already made 15. And even if 14 fail, I still come out ahead”. Think about this for a moment.

It’s almost counterintuitive. But, this is how companies like Microsoft built their market share strategy back in the day. Going to the market fast, and then correcting the mistakes.

"Success is reserved for those who take action immediately; everyone else is just pretending"

No one ever got anywhere without taking the first step in the journey. Then, it's one foot after the other, and a continuous effort to move forward. It sounds much easier than it really is. But like in real life, if it’s easy, it probably means you are going downhill. As the great Jim Rohn so eloquently put it: “Don't wish it was easier wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge wish for more wisdom”.

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans, John Lennon wrote in "Beautiful Boy”. The same goes for business. It’s not like training for a Marathon and following a set plan, that you know will get you there. Business is different. Every plan is the basis for change. We need to adapt. Be resilient. Innovate and embrace change and uncertainty. Doing all this while moving forward all the time, can be exhausting at times. This is what breaks are for. To recharge us. Don’t be afraid to use them and then continue the journey.

For obvious reasons, I have decided to dedicate this issue, to the life lessons of military commanders, who had to make difficult decisions under extreme conditions, with small error margins. Their insights are invaluable lessons to everyone in business. The list which is not exhaustive of course, includes:

• “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin - outlines why taking full responsibility for our actions and their outcomes, as well as those of our team are so important.
• "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World" by Admiral William H. McRaven - explains the importance of discipline, starting with small tasks to instigate larger changes.
• "The Phantom Major: The Story of David Stirling and the SAS Regiment" by Virgina Cowels - hails innovation and unconventional tactics in overcoming challenges. If you take one thing from the story of the founder of the British S.A.S in WWII, let it be his motto: “Who Dares, Wins”.

Can't Hurt Me

The book I chose to focus on in this issue is: "Can't Hurt Me - Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds" by David Goggins. It is a raw and powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and capacity to overcome adversity. Goggins, a retired Navy SEAL and one of the world's top endurance athletes shares his life story marked by poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse in his childhood. Despite these challenges, he transformed himself from an overweight, aimless young man into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the most elite endurance athletes.

Goggins introduces the concept of the "40% Rule," a belief that most people only tap into 40% of their capabilities. He argues that through mental toughness, self-discipline, and hard work, one can unlock the remaining 60%. The book is not just an autobiography but a call to action to us readers, to push past our perceived limits and redefine what we can achieve.

The power of self-accountability

Central to Goggins's message is the power of self-accountability. He encourages us to conduct an honest self-assessment, confront our own excuses, and step outside our comfort zones. Through his own story of completing over 60 ultra-marathons, triathlons, and ultra-triathlons, setting records in weight lifting, and going through Hell Week three times — each an incredible feat of physical and mental endurance — Goggins demonstrates that the limitations we believe we have are often self-imposed.

This is a toolkit for mental fortitude. Goggins offers actionable advice and challenges (which he calls "Challenges") at the end of each chapter, inviting the reader to apply the lessons learned from his life to their own struggles.

In essence, Goggins's life story and the principles he shares in "Can't Hurt Me" embody the ultimate journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness against all odds. It serves as a powerful reminder that through willpower, determination, and the refusal to accept limitations, one can achieve unprecedented levels of success.

"Life begins outside of our comfort zone"

The book emphasizes mental toughness and the power of self-discipline. It can easily be applied to business and entrepreneurship reality where resilience and the importance of pushing beyond perceived limits to achieve unprecedented success, is a must.

Some core principles to consider

• The 40% Rule: Believe that when challenges arise, you're only tapping into 40% of your potential. Pushing beyond perceived limits can lead to significant breakthroughs in productivity and innovation.
• Accountability Mirror: Regular self-assessment and accountability can foster a culture of continuous improvement and honesty in business settings.
• Embrace Discomfort: Stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial for growth. Encourage yourself and your team to tackle new challenges head-on.
• Callousing the Mind: Just as we build physical endurance, we can strengthen our mental resilience against stress and pressure, essential for navigating the fast-paced business environment.
• Taking Souls: This principle involves demonstrating such a high level of drive and commitment that it inspires and motivates those around you, leading by example.
• The Cookie Jar: Remember past achievements and tough situations you've overcome. This mental reservoir of strength can be tapped into during challenging times in business to push through barriers.
• Failure as a Stepping Stone: Goggins highlights the importance of learning from failures, not as setbacks but as essential steps toward success and mastery.
• The Power of Visualization: Regularly visualizing success and mentally preparing for challenges can enhance performance and readiness for upcoming business endeavors.
• Breaking Down Challenges: Large goals are more manageable when broken down into smaller, actionable steps, a strategy that can be applied to achieving business objectives.

Implementing these principles can inspire a culture of resilience, determination, and continuous improvement, driving towards achieving unprecedented success.

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Actionable Insights

• Take the first step: As the famous slogan goes Just do it.
• Take full responsibility: If you don’t know one will.
• Apply David Goggin’s principles: how can they help you move forward?

Recommended lecture to watch

• David Goggins - How To Master Your Life
• Jocko Willink - Creating An Unbreakable Mindset
• William H. McRaven - Make your bed

Movies for the weekend on the topic

• Can't Hurt Me - David Goggins (Book Summary)
• The Martian (2015) 8/10 – (Matt Damon) - a tribute to human ingenuity, resilience, and the spirit of never giving up.
• ?Apollo 13 (1995) 7.7/10 (Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton) – a great illustration of crisis management, teamwork, and leadership under extreme conditions.

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