7 Ways Army Teaches Discipline Every Entrepreneur Should Know
Being in the army, I can say with conviction that the Army style of imbibing discipline as a habit is as unique as it’s effective.
Discipline is the bedrock of the army, they say. All I can say about my profession is:
Army is not a career, it's a way of life.
There have been numerous stories from wars in the past where the determination and willpower of a soldier have saved the lives of many. We are in awe of war movies wherein a single sniper has been able to turn the outcome of war, through his skill and bravery.
Have you ever wondered what it takes for an ordinary human being to turn the odds stacked so oddly against his favour? More than just muscle and skill, the qualities make a man.
However, there is one quality in every soldier that's a glue to all this.
It's Discipline.
Discipline ensures that wars are won and precious lives are saved.
When the times are tough, it’s the discipline honed during training which pays a soldier, either with life or death.
“Imagine walking for hours on a new moon night in enemy territory. We fell off rocks, crossed fast-flowing streams, and ducked enemy fire in the darkness. Even a single flash of torchlight to orient ourselves could have put all my troop’s lives in danger.”I remember one of the 1999 Kargil war veterans sharing his experience with us during an interaction.
Discipline is a quality most essential in the army but more than that, it's a life habit.
It’s what CEOs need to run successful companies, founders need to scale up their startups, and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
Through this article, I will share seven ways discipline is taught in the army that every entrepreneur can learn.
Way #1: You Are Responsible For Your Actions
In the army, personal conduct is solely the responsibility of the individual.
Whether he be a soldier or a general, irrespective of the position, an individual is answerable for his actions. This habit of holding people accountable for their actions inculcates a sense of self-accountability.
A person who is accountable for himself learns to be disciplined easily.
Way #2: You Are Responsible For The Team
As soon as a recruit rises in service, he is promoted to senior ranks.
When you pick a rank, you are expected to command your subordinates and be in charge of them. Apart from being responsible for your actions, you are also responsible for theirs. An appointment in the army is expected to command his troops, take care of them, give them the right orders and also motivate them to accomplish the task at hand.
With the responsibility of your team now on your shoulders, being disciplined does not remain an option anymore.
Way #3: Collective Criticism
There is no such thing as runners-up on the battlefield.
Your failure as a leader is the failure of your team. The idea of collective punishment in the army is necessary. This is to instil a realisation in each soldier that it’s not they alone who are going to lose. Their loss is the loss of the entire team and vice versa. It is a reminder for them that their failure is not just theirs.
Collective criticism inculcates a sense of brotherhood in the army, which leads to a disciplined subunit.
Way #4: Rejecting Mediocracy
To judge our parade standards, we have something known as a Drill Test in the army. It is a mandatory requirement to pass the dress inspection before you can even appear for the test.
Such are the high standards in the army as far as conduct and professionalism are concerned. We train for war, where mediocracy is unacceptable. You won’t be able to appear for the test, let alone pass it if you are not prepared.
Setting high standards and striving to achieve them in every aspect of your daily routine, makes you a disciplined and a more responsible person.
Way #5: Encouraging Competition
Competitions are an important part of life in the army. Throughout our careers, we compete either professionally in our jobs or in the sports fields. During training days, winning the overall trophy meant competing in every game (hockey, basketball etc), cross country runs, academics, and even interior economy.
The cadets rubbed shoulders with each other to prove who was better. This wouldn’t have been achievable without developing discipline as a habit.
Way #6: Setting Personal Examples
In the army, a leader has to lead from the front.
No leader can expect his troops to fight enemies on the battlefield if he is not accompanying them. To destroy an enemy bunker, a leader has to be the first to charge with bare hands when the ammunition is out. Setting a personal example is a must if the army has to function.
A disciplined leader ensures he sets an example so that the troops are motivated to follow him.
Way #7: Keeping A Busy Schedule
It is often said in the army that, ‘Busy troops are the happiest’.
The atmosphere in the army demands troops to be engaged while they are away from their families. The job profile requires a very high state of alertness. A soldier must be able to stay focused at work. It is therefore necessary to continuously engage him by keeping the schedule busy.
Throughout the day, activities are planned for the men to hone their professional as well as personal skills. If a soldier is late for a parade, it has a cascading effect. Planning and preparations for the day have to start early in the morning. He ought to go to bed early to get up early the next day.
This routine also teaches him the value of being punctual. There is no other way than to be disciplined to accomplish this.
In a Nutshell
What if you become a successful person tomorrow? What if you don’t need to earn anymore to spend your life the way you want?
Will you get up every morning to go to work the same way you did when you were not successful?
The answer is yes, but only if you make discipline a habit.
