New Employee Orientation at West Point

I was reminded of the importance of new employee orientation when my buddy got back from dropping his son off at the United States Military Academy at West Point to start his journey as a new cadet. With tears still in his and his wife's eyes, his accounting took me back in time to my orientation.

First of all, I can't believe I am old enough to have friends whose babies are entering (or in some cases have already graduated from) West Point. Ouch! But I am equally amazed at how effective the orientation process still is. In one day, young men and women are transformed from civilian individuals to members of a high performing military team (see this video here for the parade at the end of Day 1).

While my own orientation (R-day for Reception) is still a blur, I remember some of the key components. I received uniforms, got a haircut, met my new leadership team, received some briefings, signed some forms, and learned the basics of marching. And by the end of the first day, I was "New Cadet Magness," participating in my first parade in front of parents and friends of the West Point Class of 1985. Aaaah...good times. (At least I will remember it that way for you here. I won't go into how I cried myself to sleep in my bunk...scared to death about what I was getting into! Ha!).

How does your orientation process measure up? Are you ensuring that you provide the time and energy necessary to give that good first impression, to make new employees feel like part of the team, and to help all team members see the big picture for the team they have just joined? How does your program compare against these key elements from my own orientation program?

-- Issue new equipment to enable success. I received uniforms, linens, a room assignment, foot locker, a bunk in the barracks, and everything I needed to function.

-- Provide information about the team and learn how to use all new equipment. On R-day, I learned plenty of rules. "Pick up your bags! Drop your bags! Salute, left turn, right turn, forward march! Your only responses are yes sir, no sir, and no excuse sir. Do you understand new cadet?" Wow...just typing that last part made me nervous! I learned how to make my bed (and how to sleep in it without messing it up so it would always be ready for inspection. More good times!), how to walk, march in formation, and sit in a chair (ok, some of these elements may not directly apply).

-- Learn about organizational culture. R-day provided an overview of the cadet honor code and the basics of the military which we had just joined. We raised our right hand and took an oath of allegiance to defend our country.

-- Take care of all administrative and HR issues. While again most of it was a blur, I remember signing plenty of paperwork to enter into the system for pay, benefits, and notification of next of kin (you may not all need that last item!). We were told when we could take time off (Christmas) and when we could retire (24 years seemed like a long time but wow did it go by fast!).

-- Meet the leadership team and be formally welcomed into the organization. I was one of 11 young men assigned to a squad leader. This cadet junior would be our mentor and instructor for the first summer (yes, orientation extended for a couple of months -- NOT good times!). We heard from the cadet chain of command and the leadership at the Academy. All of these leaders welcomed us and provided an orientation to what we had just joined.

There are any combination of elements for an effective orientation. In sum though, new employees must feel like they have the necessary skills and tools to be effective, they understand the fundamental administrative elements of the organization, they know their leaders, and they are educated on the company's culture, vision, and goals and objectives. New employees should know and understand their role and see where they fit on the team.

How does your orientation measure up? Are your troopers marching as one by the end of the day? It can be done! That's...Leader Business!

Independent Leaders

Leadership can be defined as the act of motivating people to achieve a common goal. It is doing the right thing for the right reasons. It is taking action, no matter the consequences. It is subordinating self for something much bigger. It is the act of rallying people to accomplish things together which they could not necessarily do by themselves. It is ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things. Leadership is vision, purpose, courage, discipline and passion. It is not who we are but what we do. Leadership is an ACTION verb!


When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security....

Think of the leadership involved in crafting these words. Think of the courage involved with putting one's name at the bottom, declaring a willingness to die for one's convictions. Think of the leadership that the signers exhibited in creating this shared vision and then inspiring a Nation to join them.

On this American Independence Day, let us remember that leadership is an action verb. Sometimes...it can change the "course of human events." That's...Leader Business!


Thanks to Dan McCarthy for including this post in the July Leadership Development Carnival over at Great Leadership!

Image courtesy of www.friendsacrossamerica.com

LEED for Life!

Well...I did it! After months of studying (well...really two pretty intense weeks of cramming!), I took and passed my exam to become a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional. It was a lot of work and I wasn't ever totally sure I was going to pass. My hand was shaking as I clicked "Finish" and got my score. I passed!!! Sweet.

Why LEED? Here are my thoughts:

-- I like the first word -- Leadership.
-- We have to keep challenging ourselves. I enjoyed the battle! I was totally out of my element, yet appreciated the chance to push myself.
-- We never stop learning. I learned a ton about something that was completely foreign to me but increasingly relevant to all of us. So much of new construction (and all new construction in the military) is being done to new, "Green" standards. It was good to stretch. I first told you about this test in the concept of "Stretching" after watching how hard my daughter was working on her college prep work. She definitely inspired me. Right now, I'm a little tired from the workout but know I am stronger for it!
-- I like that once you are an Accredited Professional in LEED -- you are LEED for life. Like being an Airborne Ranger. They can't take it away from me! Hooah!

I have fallen behind on a lot of stuff. Time to get caught up there. But for now, I am going to take a minute and enjoy the feeling of competing...and winning!

What about you? What challenges are you taking on in you life? What new projects and big hairy goals are you striving for? That's what leaders do. And that's Leader Business!

Currahee!

Watch CBS Videos Online

Would you watch this video and think about the power of the sort of brotherhood and comraderie that exists in tight-knit organizations? Following our last series on the "Warrior Ethos," this is what it means when we say we will never leave a fallen comrade. General Petreaus was this trooper's commander in Iraq back in 2003 and never forgot nor gave up on him.

What a great story! This is Leader Business. Currahee!

Warrior Ethos IV

Imagine a group of diverse employees linked together by a unifying set of core beliefs. The Warrior Ethos is a set of principles by which every soldier lives. It is a reminder of one's true priorities -- mission and each other. It becomes a rallying call when times are difficult; one that inspires people to press on, to never lose focus, and to subordinate self for something much bigger.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

In the last several posts we have been imagining together a team joined by a common set of principles, a culture in which people believe in each other, who give everything for the mission and for their team. We finish this series with this post about the final tenet: I will never leave a fallen comrade.

When times are tough, nothing matters more than to know that you are not alone. Being part of a team, something bigger than yourself, means that no matter what difficulties you encounter, someone will be there to pick you up. Someone has your back.

To a military warrior, this principle means that they can go into battle knowing that they will never be left behind. Should they fall, a fellow soldier will be there to pick them up. Should they be captured, their teammates will never stop in their attempts to rescue them. They can be comforted knowing that the resources of a nation will be leveraged to bring them home. No matter what. Think Blackhawk Down (for those who have seen the movie or read the book) and you will understand the warrior's willingness to do anything to retrieve a fallen comrade! Think about the many programs the military has for its wounded warriors and you will understand a lifelong commitment to never leave anyone behind.

How might this sort of principle apply to those of us who are not facing hostile fire?

-- Leaders accepting responsibility for the shortcomings of the team rather than letting a subordinate take the blame.

-- Project members staying late to complete the task rather than those who finish their portion and leave others to struggle on their own.

-- Leaders who never ask people to do something that they won't do themselves. Leaders who are willing to get their hands dirty, who lead by example.

-- Leaders who forbid bias and discrimination within their ranks and will not allow prejudice to minimize or squelch the potential of others.

-- Leaders who invest in the development of their teammates knowing that they were themselves made better through the training, mentorship, and developmental opportunities provided to them.

-- Companies who lend a hand-up to help small businesses get started.

-- People who are generous in the giving of their time, energy, and resources to enable the success of their fellow man, who share the riches of life and the fruits of their labors with others.

The bible says it this way: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. This is the glue that holds teams together. People who think less of themselves and more of others. Teammates who pick each other up, help each other out, defend one another no matter the personal cost.

Teams like this cannot be pulled apart. Their weaknesses are covered, their strengths are magnified. Most importantly their successes are not those of the individual but that of the team: Mission Accomplished. That's the warrior ethos. And that is Leader Business.

Warrior Ethos III

In the last several posts we have been imagining together a team joined by a common set of principles, a culture in which people believe in each other, who give everything for the mission and for their team. Imagine a group of diverse employees linked together by a unifying set of core beliefs.

The Warrior Ethos is a set of principles by which every soldier lives. It is a reminder of one's true priorities -- mission and each other. It becomes a rallying call when times are difficult; one that inspires people to press on, to never lose focus, and to subordinate self for something much bigger.

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.


I will never accept defeat; I will never quit.

When mission is what drives us, there is nothing that can prevent us from reaching our goals. Neither the difficulty of our working conditions nor the strength of our opponent. Not the ticking of the clock and not the seeming impossibility of our task. Nothing can keep us from accomplishing our mission.

Except ourselves. When we allow anything less than 100% mission completion or when we quit before reaching our objectives we become the biggest reason why we don’t succeed. Winners don’t quit. Winners keep trying, keep looking for solutions, and keep working until they get it right.

I think this sentiment is best captured in the last verse of the Ranger Creed (I’ll talk about this creed used to describe elite Army Rangers soon):

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor!

Rangers don’t quit – no matter what! And this is the same mentality in the warrior ethos. If I am the only person working on this project, I will keep going. If others have given up, I will not! I will persevere!

Is this the mindset in your outfit? Well, it is if your team believes in the first part of the warrior ethos – mission first! In other words, we can’t place ourselves, our comfort, our pay, our petty differences, and our schedule first. We put the mission first. And our first and foremost responsibility is to do whatever it takes (within moral and ethical bounds) to win. Not usually, not most of the time…ALWAYS!

Leaders, there is no doubt that we operate under a microscope. As such, this issue is magnified to an even greater extent in everything we do. When our teammates see that we accept something less than the standard, we have just lowered the bar. When they see us stop trying, so will they. When they know that we have accepted defeat, they will begin each project, each initiative with a cynical, defeatist attitude.

This mindset is key for a warrior. It is not that we won’t ever be defeated. It’s that we don’t accept it. It’s not that we will always win. It’s that we will never quit. This sort of approach to business is transformational. People believe in themselves and their teammates. They know that they won’t be the lone survivor because they are surrounded by a like-minded team of teams who will fight for the mission and for each other.

Business leaders in this difficult economic climate; teachers in this seemingly impossible educational environment; preachers, politicians, policemen, construction workers, and consultants – never, ever, ever quit. Don’t accept losing. Embrace the positive, game-changing, difference-making way of the warrior. That’s Leader Business!

The Warrior Ethos II

Imagine a team joined by a common set of principles. Imagine a culture in which people believe in each other, who give everything for the mission and for their team, who never, ever quit. Imagine a group of diverse employees unified around a simple set of core beliefs.

The Warrior Ethos is a set of principles by which every soldier lives. It is a reminder of one's true priorities -- mission and each other. It becomes a rallying call when times are difficult; one that inspires people to press on, to never lose focus, and to subordinate self for something much bigger.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

Mission First. Not career first. Not money first. Not personal comfort first. Mission. A warrior refuses to allow anything to come between him or her and accomplishment of the mission. They understand their task and give everything they have to make it happen.

Warriors subordinate everything to the mission. They don't think in terms of billable hours but in terms of completed tasks. Warriors don't watch the clock; they watch the progress bar. They demonstrate drive and determination in everything they do and will not stop until they have completely satisfied their customers, no matter the cost.

Teammates who put mission first create trust. There are no hidden agendas among warriors who are only interested in whatever it takes to complete the assignment. They hold each other accountable, knowing that it takes a team of teams to be successful, each doing their part which in sum leads to victory. No dares let another down. Individuals become team members who think less about their differences and more about how they are unified around a single concept -- mission accomplishment.

In a previous assignment, I was asked to reorganize my team of trainers to meet the changing needs of the Army. I resisted. I had become very comfortable with my team and how we operated. I liked them, they liked me, and we enjoyed what we did. But the truth was that we were not focused on our mission, we were focused on ourselves. We cared less about those whom we were being asked to train and more about how we could fight the proposed changes. The mission was not first!

Be sure that when I announced to my team that we were flawed in our thinking, that it was not about us but rather those whom we served, that we would focus on our new mission, there was some resistance. But this sentiment was quickly replaced by a newly inspired team of teams who understood our priorities, who dispensed with false pretenses, and who subordinated self for the mission. Our customers were thrilled and our team became better and closer than ever before, unified by a single focus: Mission Accomplishment!

So what about you and your team? Do you think and act in accordance with this principle? Let's face it. Many people will say that mission is first but they will act as if they come first. Mission becomes a means to an end. That is how we get projects that come in late, products that don't function as advertised, and organizations that are not built to last. Teammates do not trust each other, people are afraid to take risks or be bold because of self-preservation, and the mission becomes lost in office politics and bureaucratic processes. Customers know it and go somewhere else.

Is mission really first? Are you and your team willing to do whatever it takes, no matter the personal cost and sacrifice, to finish your assignment? Are you focused like a laser on this one priority -- execution?

Warriors put mission first. That is the key to the warrior ethos. And that is Leader Business.