When businesses ponder geographic expansion, they make forays into new territories. Consultants no longer speak of assignments for clients the preferred term is engagements. Applying Military Leadership to the Corporate World, it featured three former military officers who spoke about their experience in the armed services and how it prepared them for their present roles in corporate America. He spoke about character as the most important trait of a leader. It doesn t make a difference whether you are in the boardroom or the battlefield, Krulak says.
Many people are brilliant, articulate, charismatic, innovative and tough.
But if they lack character, they will not succeed as leaders. True, admits Krulak, but their power is fleeting because success without character rarely stands the test of time. It doesn t serve to inspire anyone and as leaders, you are in the inspiration business, he says. Unlike talents such as intelligence, which is a God-given gift, character is a choice, says Krulak. And it s not an easy choice like whether you should have Pop Tarts for breakfast it s the kind of choice where your palms get clammy, sweat pops out on your brow, your guts begin to turn, and you know that the decision you are about to make will have an impact that people will not want to hear.