Get Ready for a New Uniform in 2016
Jack and Suzy Welch in their new book The Real Life MBA, have a section in Chapter 13 entitled “A New Uniform.” This section speaks to those in business who transition from one company or industry to another. I find the title of this section apropos to the transition from the military to the private sector. The book provides very useful insights into the workings of business, personnel polices and interactions that are totally different from most of what we experience in the military.
They note that joining a new organization “is like becoming a citizen of a new country.” You are in a place that has a “new language, new customs, new people, new procedures and practices.” They go on to note, “so do yourself a favor and let go of the notion that you can think and act the same way as you always have.” Excellent advice. While their focus is for civilian business leaders making a transition from one industry to another, we in the military face exactly the same challenge when we hang up our uniform.
I’m reminded of a relatively senior officer who, in preparing for retirement from military service, was convinced that most civilian companies were broken (in his mind) and he looked forward to the opportunity to help fix them. I told him that the first thing he needs to understand is that nobody wants to be told their baby is ugly. If he didn’t change his attitude he would have a hard time finding a job and if he did find one he would have a hard time keeping it unless he made some fundamental adjustments in his understanding and appreciation for life in “the real world.”
While any enterprise could profit from an outsider’s perspective, the military could benefit if were to adopt some civilian business practices. In my view, a big difference between the government and the private sector is that the government is inherently wasteful in its spending of the tax payer’s money or what I call OPM (other people’s money). No business would tolerate spending end-of-year funds on things they really don’t need just to spend down their budget. I was always outraged by this wasteful practice when I worked for the government. The fundamental difference is that in the business sector you cannot spend money you do not earn, at least not for very long. “The bottom line” is not a cliche it’s the driver for profitability. Positive cash flow allows you to stay in business. A potential employer wants to know what knowledge, skills and abilities you have to help them improve their bottom line.
For those of you who are transitioning from the military you would be well served to take the time to learn the language, customs, people, procedures and practices of business. Reading The Real Life MBA is a good start. It will serve you well in your preparation for interviews as you begin your transition to a new job in the New Year.
