A Team of Leaders

Stoic Quote of the Week

No one is able to rule unless he is also able to be ruled.

-Seneca

What I learned this week:

I know my brothers from the Regiment know this all too well. When you are on a team of leaders, or in my case leading a team of leaders, it is an amazing environment, especially in the small, close-knit units that we were in the Green Berets. The unique thing about a team of leaders is that they figure things out themselves and challenge their leaders to be better. A team of leaders isn’t a group of yes-men. If the 11 other men on my team were yes men, I wouldn’t have the leadership skills I have today. These men challenged me to be better in everything we did, from physical training to conducting operations. It made it hard for me as their leader because I was never allowed to get away with the dad phrase of leadership, “Because I said so!” Unacceptable in this type of environment. Our success in everything we did (and the fellas do now) was because we were a team of leaders, not just a bunch of alphas. This makes me wonder why so many business managers and owners want nothing but yes men and women around them. They would rather have a group of people on their team that just did what they were supposed to do and never questioned anything that was said. This type of manager expects everyone to toe the line and agree with everything that is directed without any rebuttals. There are two reasons for this. First, that manager is lazy because it is hard work to convince a team of leaders that this is the path. It’s much easier to just say, “Go do this!” And everyone follows suit and doesn’t ask questions. The second is that the manager is a manager and not a leader. He has no vision for the future and thinks of the people on the team as a bunch of numbers to enable his success, not their success. If you are in charge of a people, lead them, and you lead them by making them leaders and creating opportunities for them to lead. Don’t expect this to just happen. Part of your job as a leader is to create more leaders. Start today. Provide your team with leadership opportunities and training. Our Green Beret Leadership Program is one resource. There are thousands of others out there. Do your job and create a team of leaders.

Planning thought of the week:

One of the key elements in paragraph three of the five-paragraph field order is subunit missions. This is the portion of the plan that you delegate tasks and objectives for the teams and individuals under you to perform. It is their slice of the pie. Utilize this section to lay out the requirements, expectations, and guidance for them to perform their job. Don’t tell them how to suck the egg. Just tell them that there is egg-sucking to be done.

Business idea I heard about or thought of:

I was reading something this morning that reminded me that no matter how advanced we become with all the various AI bots, there will always be a lag of technology in so many of the basic aspects of our lives—everything from mowing our lawns to house painting to window cleaning. Yep, window cleaning is a thing. As many times as I’ve heard the phrase, we’ll do anything but clean windows; guess what? That means there is someone that cleans windows, and that is what they do. I am always a fan and a supporter of the small business trade industries. One of my friends and clients owns a business startup called Window Heroes, and guess what they do? They clean windows on houses, stores, and office buildings. If you are like me and look out the window from your office all day long, you start to notice; I can’t tell if that is 5x5 or 6x6 bucks because of the dust build-up on my windows. I know not everyone has big mule deer walking through their yard, but that is my measure of clarity. If you live in the Pensacola area of Florida, give Ryan Jackson and his business, Window Heroes, a call so that you can have a clear view of that buck outside your window.

Veteran opportunity of the week:

One of the biggest benefits we receive on separation is the ability to go to school and get a degree or a certificate. But stepping back into student life after four to 20-plus years of service is hard. The Student Veterans of America (SVA) is an organization that helps vets with that lifestyle transition. They provide mentors, help you manage your GI benefits, and have chapters all around the USA. Check them out here .

Someone I met this week:

I met Donnie, a former Marine infantryman, this week in preparation for an episode of The Cam & Otis Show in the future. I had so much fun in that 15-minute pre-show call that I had to follow up with another call to talk about life, business, and the Texas Rangers. One thing about Donnie that I enjoyed most was his direct approach. He didn’t beat around the bush when I asked him a question, and he turned it around and said right back to me, here are my three businesses; what would you (Otis) coach me on? I love those direct questions.?One of Donnie’s businesses is the Badass Business Summit. The next one is just around the corner in September and in my hometown of Fort Worth. If I can manage my hunting and travel time, I just maybe there. If you want to learn more, here is the link .

Link to current The Cam & Otis Show podcast episode Michael Klepacz - Natural Materials Unlimited | Cam & Otis Show Ep.? #277.

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