Veterans are often thought of as a unique culture. They are equipped with several leadership characteristics that are desirable in workplaces across the U.S. and around the world. According to retired U.S. Army four-star general and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki veterans contribute several valuable qualities:
- Decision making skills primed with quick, clear thinking;
- Proven leadership skills honed in the most challenging operational environments;
- The knowledge and experience needed to be sophisticated team-builders and natural team players; and
- A work ethic that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to excellence.
These traits make it easy to see how advantageous hiring veterans can be to any workplace; but don’t just take his word for it.
Michael Hayes, General Manager of Operations at Aldez Containers, LLC based out of San Antonio, Texas says Aldez has had great success with veterans. One of the key reasons is, “military veterans show a commitment to long term growth, they have persevered, working in and with situations that they might not choose, and have an incredible sense of responsibility.” Hayes is not the only one to echo their strengths.
Jamie Wanless, vice president of sales, at Ameriprise Advisor Center, says one of the skills he learned in the military that has paid off in the civilian world is planning. “The discipline of planning that’s instilled in veterans translates well into civilian life. The better you plan for personal and professional goals, the more likely you are to achieve them. More importantly, the military does an extraordinary job teaching veterans how to effectively adjust and overcome adversity when things don’t go as planned.” This quality to adjust and overcome is always an asset in the workplace.
Hayes sums it up well, “You can’t teach commitment. For military service members it is inherent to who and how they are.” So, if you are considering hiring, bring these leadership skills to your working environment and hire veterans of the armed forces of the United States.
For more information see the article “The Discipline of Planning” in the January + February 2013 edition of Search and Employ magazine. (see page 16) http://recruitmilitary.com/assets/search-and-employ/issues/30/original/S&E%20-%2030%20lo-res%20reduced%20linked.pdf?1357226641
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