I work with the U.S. Military on leadership development, and a recent Harvard Business Review article, “Lessons from U.S. Army Special Ops on Becoming a Leader,” reinforced why their approach is relevant for business too.
I’m seeing a trend in executive leadership programs: a heavy focus on AI and management tools. Special Ops, by contrast, trains leaders to perform under pressure through volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA).
Their focus isn’t on the tools or the “how” and “what,” but on the “why.”
Technology is useful. But when uncertainty hits, teams follow leaders – not algorithms.
Key lessons from Special Ops leadership that apply to business:
✅ Take initiative. A quick plan beats paralysis.
✅ Build confidence. Learn from mistakes instead of freezing.
✅ Stay flexible. Always have alternative paths (Semper Gumby).
✅ Keep vision clear. Define the goal and avoid getting lost in tactics.
Special Ops leaders are trained in simulated crises, guided by experienced cadre, and debriefed to learn from both success and failure.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s clarity, adaptability, and resilience under pressure.
The same applies in business. Growth companies that invest in leadership see better decision-making, confident teams, and cultures that keep moving forward.
Leadership drives results. Technology supports it.
Are you ready to lead through volatility? Connect with us at rcgworkgroup.com or follow RCG Workgroup for practical strategies and insights.
LeadershipDevelopment
VUCA
BusinessLeadership
ExecutiveCoaching
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