Need Your Ideas — Life Lessons From The Military That Created Civilian Success

In civilian clothes, your organization and its objectives are paramount to your success. When you succeed, your Team, Department and Organization are rewarded. Just replace Country with Organization in Duty, Honor, Country.

Know internal politicians, but keep away from office politics and negative persuasion in the office and outside. We are apolitical, yet we have our individual political persuasions. Follow such persuasion in silence only.

Know and understand the rules; follow them, but don't overtly stress these rules.

Be, know and do your job; achieve your success, prior to offering your assistance to others to help them achieve.

Be a Team player with an independent flair. Sounds selfish, yet it is the sensible middle path to achieving your success. Never be bashful; be graceful always. Be adaptive and flexible, not rigid and arrogant.

Be honest, understanding, considerate and compassionate; be transparent, so no one can play the blame game with you.

Working on a team of all men helped me to navigate business relationships with male clients and in all male board rooms. Not sure if you are looking for this perspective, but I'm happy to provide more detail if you need it.

Realizing that, generally speaking, the civilian population doesn't think you are special and your Veteran status doesn't 'entitle' you to jack.