What I Learned in the Navy with Duct Tape and J-B Weld: Building Success with Adaptability and Resilience
Tony Grayson
VADM Stockdale Leadership Award Recipient | Tech Executive | Ex-Submarine Captain | Top 10 Datacenter Influencer | Veteran Advocate
Success often hinges on resourcefulness, adaptability, and determination, whether in the military or running a startup— whether you're using duct tape or J-B Weld.
These two everyday items perfectly symbolize the balance between quick adaptability and long-term resilience, essential for military and startup success. They represent the improvisation and persistence needed to achieve results when ideal resources aren’t available.
Duct tape symbolizes quick, adaptable solutions that keep things going, even if imperfect. In the startup world, you often have to "patch things up" to keep progressing, even if it’s a temporary fix. It’s about focusing on the immediate need to move forward.
J-B Weld is known for creating durable and lasting fixes. It represents solid, reliable solutions built to last. Like in the military, where equipment or systems must withstand pressure, in a startup, you need strong foundations—whether in your product, team, or strategy—that can handle stress and stay intact over time.
These principles translate directly into the following:
Adaptability: You won’t always have perfect resources in the military or in business. Sometimes, you need to apply a "duct tape fix" to solve problems on the fly and pivot quickly to stay on track.
Resilience: J-B Weld illustrates the importance of building robust, enduring solutions that can weather tough challenges, whether in team dynamics, company culture, or product development.
Progress Over Perfection: In both environments, getting it done is more important than perfecting it the first time. Action and iteration will drive success, and it’s okay if the initial solution is messy—as long as it works and can be improved later.
The lessons from military service and startup life are clear: success comes from resourcefulness and determination.
Duct tape represents creative problem-solving, and J-B Weld embodies the resilience to build something lasting. They remind us that progress and adaptability are more important than waiting for the perfect scenario. So, grab your duct tape and J-B Weld, and tackle whatever comes your way.
Proven AI-Leveraged Marketing Systems | Helping B2B SMB Leaders, Consultants, and Professional Services Convert Expertise into Authority, Influence & Engaged Leads
6 天前Great insights, Tony! Your post captures the essence of resourcefulness beautifully. It leads me to consider - in the heat of growing a startup, how can leaders effectively coach their teams (and themselves) to discern between temporary fixes and when it’s time to dig deeper for lasting results? It's a delicate balance. That discernment can influence endurance and innovation!
Operations Director at Nuclear Fuel Services
6 天前A MUST HAVE on your “boat” before you deploy! #resourcefullness
Human Factors Engineer - Sleep Advocate - Striving to Improve Sailors’ lives through better engineering. Opinions and views expressed belong solely to the author and do not reflect those of (DoD) or its components.
6 天前When I was a Division Officer I was glueing a broken bolt onto an access plate at midnight before a zone inspection when my Chief Engineer came around the corner. “What the heck are you doing?” He asked, as I hid the tube behind my back, thinking “I’m busted!”. Before I could make up an excuse he pulled out a tube of JB Weld - “You gotta use the GOOD stuff!”
Partner Companies - Dragonfly Energy | Chatsworth Products
6 天前Don't forget the Zip Ties!!
Associate Quality Assurance Engineer
6 天前Duct tape? Who had that onboard? EB Green was good. EB white was better if you found a roll, you hoarded it. Great article.