Military Leadership Lessons for Public Service

Military veterans have had the most intensive leadership training, mentoring, and experience available anywhere. Many return to their communities seeking to apply what they learned. What they are likely to find among those in public administration is not a welcome embrace for military training and experience. Instead veterans are more likely to encounter a misimpression that it is not of much use, which is becoming more widespread in society as fewer among those in power have served in the military or are close to anyone who did. But contrary to the popular misimpression, military leadership principles and methods are not just about using authority and giving orders. They are based on interpersonal dynamics learned from experience and reflection. Unsurprisingly effective leadership in civil emergencies - as shown on 9/11 and during Hurricane Katrina - depends on the same kind of demeanor, decisiveness, and trustworthiness as in combat. But good leadership is fundamentally the same in day-to-day challenges as well. There are, in fact, military leadership principles and methods that will be effective whenever adapted to the circumstances. Being mindful of them can better equip anyone for public service.