Private company boards and directors frequently overlook a pool of exceptional candidates with military backgrounds, inadvertently missing out on the wealth of skills and perspectives they bring to the table. Let’s delve into the substantial value military veterans offer and address the underlying issues that may be hindering the full realization of these opportunities within the private sector.
Military veterans embody unique qualities that position them as invaluable assets on a board. Their profound understanding of leadership, decision-making under pressure, strategic thinking, values-based leadership, character, integrity, resilience, grit and determination, as well as their unwavering commitment to achieving the mission sets them apart. This article aims to underscore the significant benefits that veterans can contribute to private company boards and address the potential barriers preventing their full consideration.
Leadership skills. A paramount asset that military veterans bring to private company boards is their extensive experience in leadership. Regardless of rank, veterans have significant opportunities and experiences leading teams and making challenging decisions amid intense pressure, often with limited information and involving substantial risks and trade-offs. These leadership skills translate seamlessly into the board setting, offering valuable insights for strategic guidance and oversight. Veterans can also leverage their leadership experiences to inspire and motivate other board members, executives and team members, helping to ensure the organization’s long-term success.
Strategic thinking and ability to execute. Military veterans are trained to think strategically and formulate robust plans to facilitate the successful execution of the assigned mission. Their ability to assess complex situations and devise effective strategies can significantly benefit private company boards. By sharing their strategic thinking skills and experiences, veterans contribute to the decision-making process and can help guide the organization toward achieving its goals.
Risk and crisis management. Navigating environments laden with operational, financial and political risks is a shared experience among military veterans. This background equips them with valuable risk and crisis evaluation, mitigation and management skills. Veterans can articulate their experiences in planning, executing and reporting risk mitigation and crisis management strategies, and their adeptness in navigating uncertainty and challenging circumstances positions them as experts capable of aiding private company boards in proactively managing risks and responding effectively to crises.
Values-based leadership, character and Integrity. Military veterans are instilled with a profound commitment to values-based leadership, character and integrity. These foundational principles, ingrained through their service, enhance their ability to navigate ethical dilemmas and uphold the highest standards of conduct. In the context of private company boards, where decisions carry significant weight, the values instilled in veterans contribute to a culture of trust, accountability and ethical governance.
Resilience, grit and determination. The resilience, grit and determination that military veterans demonstrate are unparalleled. Veterans are equipped to confront challenges head-on, adapting to evolving circumstances with unwavering determination. Their ability to persevere in adversity and lead with mental fortitude is a valuable asset for private company boards, especially in dynamic business environments where navigating challenges and driving initiatives to completion is crucial.
Commitment to the mission. Military veterans are ingrained with an unwavering commitment and focus on completing the mission. This commitment ensures a focus on achieving goals with precision, dedication and the ability to adapt to get the job done. Translated to the private sector, this commitment becomes a driving force for board members, fostering a culture of collaboration, dedication and a relentless pursuit of the organization’s objectives.
Global perspective and teamwork. Military veterans possess a unique global perspective from exposure to diverse cultures and environments during their service. Their understanding of the importance of teamwork, diversity, inclusion and cultural intelligence allows them to bring fresh insights to private company boards. By leveraging their global perspective, veterans contribute to discussions on international markets, expansion opportunities and global trends, thereby enriching the board’s overall decision-making capacity.
Accountability and governance. Renowned for their strong sense of accountability and responsibility, military veterans are well-suited for the governance challenges faced by private companies. In a board setting, where directors must act in the organization’s and stakeholders’ best interests, veterans can draw upon their experiences in adhering to strict protocols, following regulations and upholding ethical standards in challenging environments and circumstances. Their ability to seamlessly integrate these qualities into governance responsibilities can significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of private company boards.
Potential Questions to Ask Military Veteran Candidates
When considering military veterans for board positions, it is imperative to pose relevant questions to assess their suitability. Here are some potential questions:
- Can you elaborate on your leadership experiences in the military and how they have prepared you for service on a board?
- How will your service and background contribute to the board’s diversity of thought and perspectives?
- Can you discuss a specific situation where you had to make a difficult decision under pressure and how you handled it?
- How do you approach risk and crisis management, and how do you think your service experience has prepared you for those responsibilities on a board?
- How do you stay informed about industry trends, and how do you think your background has prepared you for staying informed about this organization’s industry?
- Can you discuss a situation where you had to work with a diverse group of individuals and how you approached working with individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives?
- Can you discuss a situation where you had to think strategically about a problem or opportunity and how you approached it?
- How do you approach accountability and governance in your professional life? How has your service influenced that, particularly regarding values-based leadership, character, integrity, resilience, grit, determination and commitment to mission?
These questions can aid the nom/gov committee in understanding the candidate’s perspectives and skills, highlighting how their military background, including values-based leadership and resilience, can uniquely contribute to the board.
Potential Biases
While evaluating military veterans for board positions, it is crucial to be aware of potential biases that may arise. Here are a few biases to be mindful of.
- Lack of understanding of the civilian business environment. Some may assume that military veterans lack the experience or knowledge to navigate the complexities of the civilian business environment. However, veterans have completed rigorous leadership, strategic planning and decision-making training that, combined with operational experiences, seamlessly translates into the business world.
- Perceptions of inflexibility or rigidity. Stereotypes may suggest that military veterans have a strict, top-down leadership style unsuitable for a board setting. In reality, veterans are trained to be adaptable and flexible, operating in diverse, challenging team environments.
- Too aggressive or not collaborative. Preconceived notions about veterans being overly aggressive or not collaborative may undermine their ability to work well in a team. In truth, military veterans have a strong sense of values-driven and mission-focused teamwork.
- Lack of diversity and unconscious bias. Boards often lack diversity in background, gender and ethnicity, making it challenging for individuals with military backgrounds to be selected. Military veterans bring a unique perspective and expertise to board settings, fostering more diverse and inclusive decision-making.
- Officer vs non-officer candidates. While officer roles often receive more attention, non-officer roles carry their own set of responsibilities and challenges. Private company boards must recognize officer and non-officer veterans’ diverse skill sets and experiences. Non-officer veterans often possess hands-on, practical expertise gained through their service. Their frontline experiences, problem-solving skills and ability to execute tasks efficiently make them valuable contributors to board discussions. It is essential for boards to overcome preconceived notions and appreciate the unique perspectives that non-officer veterans bring, enhancing the overall diversity and effectiveness of the board.
Assessing all candidates, particularly military veterans, based on their skills, experiences and qualifications is imperative, avoiding assumptions based on stereotypes. This approach ensures that boards select the most qualified and diverse individuals to guide their organizations to success.
Military veterans bring valuable skills and perspectives that can significantly benefit private company boards. Their diverse experiences, leadership abilities, global perspectives, commitment to values-based leadership, resilience, grit, determination and unwavering commitment to achieving the mission uniquely position them to offer fresh insights and value to board service. By asking pertinent questions and addressing biases, boards can fairly evaluate candidates and select the most qualified individuals to contribute to the success of their organizations.
Bryan J. Stewart is a former Marine Corps infantry officer, board member, entrepreneur, CEO, leadership coach and growth expert. He serves as the founder and CEO of HDO Health. He is an advisory board member of Remento.