Startups and Armed Forces
Startups should consider replicating practices from the Armed Forces. This can help achieve a serious scale and reduce death rates. Over my past exits, I've observed the difference between a huge versus moderate scale. Many similarities arose with the Armed Forces practices and methods.
Singular Vision
Singular vision aligns the entire armed forces of a nation. And distillation of vision is deep. From small teams of special forces to large armies at land, sea and air. Startups often go tangential to their vision. Founder distraction is a big overlooked reason for this drift. Founding teams should have unifying agreement on the vision and the details beneath. This will result in aligned teams as founders divide functional responsibilities among them.
Situation Adaptability
Armed Forces and their families move into a new environment every couple of years. Complete change in reporting & teams, city, schools, community, weather and more. My upbringing was in twelve different states by the time high school finished. Packing, moving, adjusting were a defined process. Uncertainty is one big thing that every founder should embrace. The startup operating environment will keep changing. Creating a simple mental process can ensure startup growth as environment changes. Marry your vision, adapt to everything else.
Team Camaraderie
Two principles from Armed Forces that can help increase the sum of parts while forming teams:
Resourceful Mindset
In the earlier startup era, capital and computing were scarce. In the current startup environment, talent and company-building is an issue. Armed Forces training imbibes strong management of people, materials and resources. Learning the art of jugaad creates solutions from minimal resources.
Planned Execution
Meticulous planning before execution results in successful outcomes:
Rounded Perspective
Two built-in Armed Forces practices result in a rounded perspective:
Our current and past environment has conditioned our minds. Opening our minds to diverse thoughts and practices builds perspective.
Expectation Setting
Armed Forces live without families when transferred to bases where families aren't allowed. Even if the base allows family, it may not be possible to uproot the kids' college education. Becoming a founder will present similar situations. Best to prepare your loved ones in advance and set the right expectations.
My wife, brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and I have an Armed Forces upbringing. This topic is dear to me. Please keep an eye for a series of notes on startups and the Armed Forces.
Singular Vision
Singular vision aligns the entire armed forces of a nation. And distillation of vision is deep. From small teams of special forces to large armies at land, sea and air. Startups often go tangential to their vision. Founder distraction is a big overlooked reason for this drift. Founding teams should have unifying agreement on the vision and the details beneath. This will result in aligned teams as founders divide functional responsibilities among them.
Situation Adaptability
Armed Forces and their families move into a new environment every couple of years. Complete change in reporting & teams, city, schools, community, weather and more. My upbringing was in twelve different states by the time high school finished. Packing, moving, adjusting were a defined process. Uncertainty is one big thing that every founder should embrace. The startup operating environment will keep changing. Creating a simple mental process can ensure startup growth as environment changes. Marry your vision, adapt to everything else.
Team Camaraderie
Two principles from Armed Forces that can help increase the sum of parts while forming teams:
- Lifestyle in the Armed Forces is a great equalizer. Capability over everything else. Treat every human as equal and unseen opportunities will open up.
- Strong comradeship and loyalty. Uneasiness results in sub-par performance and short-lived tenure. Keeping people at ease brings out their best performance.
Resourceful Mindset
In the earlier startup era, capital and computing were scarce. In the current startup environment, talent and company-building is an issue. Armed Forces training imbibes strong management of people, materials and resources. Learning the art of jugaad creates solutions from minimal resources.
Planned Execution
Meticulous planning before execution results in successful outcomes:
- Details: I spent a few years in an Armed Forces boarding school. The morning routine started with a quick inspection of the bed and shoes. Our prefects knew where corners were being cut. Details matter. Don't build average products. Create masterpieces. Don't think. Think deep. Don't sell. Live it.
- Rigor: Founders are very disciplined while they are in specific situations. For instance, during an accelerator program or fundraising. Outside of these phases, life shifts. Simple discipline acts as a forcing function. Rigor helps to think fast, identify issues, experiment often, and fix problems.
Rounded Perspective
Two built-in Armed Forces practices result in a rounded perspective:
- Being transferred to a new base every couple of years.
- Cross-functional movement between the field, training and staff roles.
Our current and past environment has conditioned our minds. Opening our minds to diverse thoughts and practices builds perspective.
Expectation Setting
Armed Forces live without families when transferred to bases where families aren't allowed. Even if the base allows family, it may not be possible to uproot the kids' college education. Becoming a founder will present similar situations. Best to prepare your loved ones in advance and set the right expectations.
My wife, brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and I have an Armed Forces upbringing. This topic is dear to me. Please keep an eye for a series of notes on startups and the Armed Forces.
Let's Talk: If you have a true experience that resonates, please send me an email.
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