Five key British military principles that can help improve teamwork in British businesses:
1. Leading by Example
Description: Leadership is underpinned by the core values: Courage, Discipline, Respect for Others, Integrity, Loyalty, and Selfless Commitment, setting the standard for others.
Application in Business: Leading by example establishes standards, both in cultural values and in accountability. It reinforces trust and is motivating, promoting mutual respect and unity.
2. Mission Command
Description: Following clear communication of intent and goals, devolving responsibility empowers others and encourages initiative.
Application in Business: Trusting team members to make decisions encourages a sense of ownership which can strengthen teamwork, increase response times and accelerate project progress.
3. Unity of Purpose
Description: Missions with a unifying purpose ensure that all actions align with the overarching goal, even if circumstances change.
Application in Business: Setting a unifying purpose for a project gives a team a shared vision and meaning. This results in closer alignment and progress toward a shared goal.
4. Adaptability
Description: Being adaptable and flexible in unpredictable conditions and the ability to improvise when standard approaches do not work.
Application in Business: Adaptability allows team members to shift their approach when needed, increasing resilience and the ability to handle unexpected changes effectively.
5. Performance
Description: After-Action Reviews are a structured tool for reflecting on completed tasks and analysing what went well, what didn’t, and what can be improved, to evaluate how future performance can be improved.
Application in Business: Regular team debriefs or reviews after major projects help team members learn from successes and mistakes, making future teamwork more effective.
