Epicast
Epicast #5 In order to (with Bob Williams)
Epicast #5 In order to (with Bob Williams)
By Epic Talent Society
October 4, 2024
Welcome to the Epicast, a series of live conversations with some of the most inspiring thought leaders and keynote speakers. In this session, we dove into a discussion with Bob Williams, a mechanical engineer, renowned coach, and corporate leadership expert with extensive experience in military leadership. Bob has worked with companies around the globe, helping leaders rethink how they can empower their teams to succeed.
In this episode, we’ll explore how Bob’s military experience translates into a powerful framework for contemporary corporate leadership, how “command and control” isn’t what you might think, and how responsibility, adaptability, and brevity are the cornerstones of effective leadership today.

 

Military Leadership: A Model for Corporate Success

Bob’s military background has provided him with a wealth of knowledge in leadership, and he believes that military principles can inspire today’s corporate leaders. Military leadership, while often seen as hierarchical and rigid, is actually deeply rooted in adaptability, teamwork, and a sense of unified purpose.

In Bob’s words, military leadership is about getting people to do things they wouldn’t normally want to do, and doing so cohesively as a team. Leaders must drive individuals toward a collective goal, while tapping into their unique skills and potential. This method applies not only in military operations but also in business settings where teams must work together to achieve success, often under pressure.

 

Commander’s Intent: Empowering Through Purpose

One of the key leadership principles Bob emphasizes is “Commander’s Intent.” While military orders may seem directive, they actually focus on the larger objective—the why behind the command—leaving room for flexibility in execution. Instead of rigidly telling someone exactly what to do, commanders focus on the overall mission, empowering team members to use their knowledge and creativity to accomplish the goal.

For instance, Bob shared a story about asking someone to fetch a plate of “tripush” (a type of food). If the person comes back saying they couldn’t find any, the mission fails. However, if the order is framed with the intent— “bring something to satisfy my hunger”—the person has the freedom to find another suitable dish. This clarity of purpose allows for greater flexibility, empowering team members to innovate and make decisions that align with the broader goal.

The corporate world can learn much from this approach. Leaders should focus on defining what success looks like, rather than dictating every step. By clarifying the desired outcome and empowering employees to figure out how to achieve it, businesses can unleash creativity and unlock the full potential of their teams.

 

Adaptability: The Key to Success in Uncertainty

Another critical lesson from military leadership is the concept that “no plan survives contact with the enemy.” In corporate terms, this means that even the best-laid strategies will face unforeseen challenges, and leaders must be prepared to adapt.

Military leaders train their teams for such moments through pre-action reviews, often known as red-teaming, where a separate group tests the proposed plan to identify potential weaknesses. By proactively challenging a strategy before it’s implemented, the likelihood of failure is significantly reduced.

In the corporate world, this concept can be applied through regular feedback loops, open communication, and encouraging a culture where ideas are challenged constructively. Just as in the military, flexibility in the face of challenges is vital for success. Leaders need to embrace this adaptive mindset and prepare their teams to think critically and respond effectively.

 

Brevity: Simplicity in Communication

Bob also highlighted the importance of brevity in leadership, a concept ingrained in military training. Drawing on Einstein’s philosophy, he explains that while anyone can make something complex, true genius lies in making it simple. By communicating clearly and concisely, leaders ensure that their teams can quickly understand and execute their tasks, reducing confusion and enhancing efficiency.

In Portugal and other Southern European countries, where hierarchical structures are more deeply ingrained, the importance of direct, brief communication becomes even more critical. Streamlining communication and focusing on clarity can help bridge the gap between leadership and the broader team, fostering a more inclusive environment where ideas can flow more freely.

 

The Responsibility of Leadership

A common theme in Bob’s discussion is the idea of ownership and responsibility. Referencing the book “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink, Bob agrees that there are no bad teams, only bad leaders. Leadership is about taking full responsibility for the success or failure of the team.

Leaders must look inward and ask whether they did enough to set their team up for success. Did they provide the necessary resources, support, and guidance? If something goes wrong, it’s not about finding a scapegoat—it’s about reflecting on how the team can improve and ensuring that the same mistakes aren’t repeated.

At the same time, Bob argues that responsibility doesn’t have to be a burden. He defines it as “the ability to respond”—meaning that leaders don’t always have to come up with the solutions themselves. Often, the best ideas come from within the team, and the leader’s role is to facilitate these ideas and make informed decisions.

 

HR as a Service: A New Approach for Long-Term Success

In the final part of the conversation, Bob touched on an exciting trend in corporate leadership—HR as a service model for private equity and venture capital firms. As investment cycles get longer, with companies holding onto assets for five years instead of three, businesses can no longer rely on short-term cosmetic changes to drive value. Instead, the focus needs to shift toward creating sustainable value through people.

Bob’s vision is to integrate HR more strategically by ensuring that employees are aligned with the company’s long-term goals and engaged in their roles. Developing talent, creating clear career paths, and building a thriving workplace culture are essential for retaining top talent and maintaining the company’s momentum.

 

Final Thoughts: Leadership is About Enabling Success

At the core of Bob’s message is the belief that great leadership is about enabling the success of others. Whether drawn from military experience or corporate best practices, leaders need to serve their teams by providing clear direction, empowering decision-making, and fostering an environment of adaptability and continuous improvement.

As Bob aptly puts it, “Your success is your team’s success.” When leaders focus on helping their teams thrive, everyone wins.

 

Check the 4h episode of Epicast with Catarina Mendanha about Limitless Dreams.

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