A reviewer of military leadership and management books wondered whether he wanted an MBA or an Army Ranger on his business team. You'll wonder, too. Management and leadership practices of elite groups such as the Rangers are highlighted. You may think of the armed services as rigid, hierarchical organizations. Far from it. There is much to learn about vision, mission, values, core beliefs, team work, empowerment and more from these recommended military books about leadership and management.
1. The Marine Corps Way: Using Maneuver Warfare to Lead a Winning Organization
Worthwhile book targets leaders in business with examples from the maneuver warfare of the Marine Corps. Lessons in decentralized decision making, targeting critical vulnerabilities, focus, boldness and surprise are applied in the business environment. You'll learn how to tap into the ingenuity and energy of the people you lead by setting the example, taking care of your staff and helping every employee become a leader. This is a good read with many real life case studies. (McGraw-Hill)
2. No Excuse Leadership: Lessons from the U.S. Army's Elite Rangers
Seen through the eyes of ten Army Rangers, leadership means setting the example for others, enduring and overcoming adversity and following a vision. This book, which richly describes the training Rangers receive, offers lessons in military leadership and management for the rest of us. I especially like the emphasis on “no excuses” and leadership and followership attitude. (Wiley)3. When You're Asked to Do the Impossible: Principles of Business Teamwork
A powerful guide for business teams, this book translates the operating principles of the U.S. Army's Rangers into guidelines for business teams. The book states that to do the impossible, individuals and teams must be developed to the highest possible performance levels. They must be well led and exceptionally well prepared and supported. They must function with core operating principles and beliefs. They must be prepared to succeed even when everything goes wrong. (The Lyons Press)4. Corps Business: The 30 Management Principles of the U.S. Marines
The organization and culture of the United States Marine Corps are examined. The author trained with the Corps and interviewed marines of every rank to discover thirty-one management principles that can be applied in today’s dynamic business environment. These include: #1: "Aim for the 70-percent solution. It's better to decide quickly on an imperfect plan than to roll out a perfect plan when it's too late.” Chapters include managing change, educating managers, tactics, culture and motivation.5. The Leadership Lessons of the U.S. Navy SEALs: Battle-Tested Strategies ...
Strong team leadership can help business increase productivity, reduce turnover and enable and empower individuals to contribute. For Navy SEALs, failure is not an option. Leadership and management lessons from military management in the SEALs program include communication of objectives; flexible, dynamic organization; superior staffing; gaining trust and loyalty; preparing for crises; and effective, relevant training. (McGraw-Hill)