A military background typically produces a variety of traits, many of which apply very well in terms of leadership. And to successfully transition into the business world, you’re going to need a strong military to civilian resume to showcase those skills.
Because of these skills, many employers find veterans to be highly valuable employees. The traits listed below are common among military personnel and they are equally useful for the survival of your business.
1. Dependability
This is one thing that every employer will say they love, and it’s a key trait that is learned in the military. When a veteran says they are going to do something, they know that they will follow through, even if it causes inconvenience to them. Many businesses say can be very difficult to find employees with this quality, making it a highly valuable trait. If you’re searching for a career after the military, having this trait will greatly improve your success.
This is one thing that every employer will say they love, and it’s a key trait that is learned in the military. When a veteran says they are going to do something, they know that they will follow through, even if it causes inconvenience to them. Many businesses say can be very difficult to find employees with this quality, making it a highly valuable trait. If you’re searching for a career after the military, having this trait will greatly improve your success.
2. Integrity
When you lie in the military, it can be a big deal. Not only can people get seriously hurt or even killed, the one who lied can be punished with severe consequences, such as jail time. This trait is very well equipped for a lot of business, especially those in law enforcement. If you’re searching for a job like this, but don’t believe you have the necessary education background yet, many schools value education for veterans.
3. Making decisions
One skill that just about every leader needs to have is the ability to make a decision. Unfortunately, there are a lot of employees that simply don’t know how to do that. To find an employee that can analyze a situation and make an educational decision is a rarity for most businesses. Those with a military background are typically very adept at making decisions quickly based on the situations they’re put in.
4. Professionalism
This is another trait that a lot of employees simply lack, whether they realize it or not. The military teaches professionalism in veterans in a way that is built into every-day life. In the military, acting in an unprofessional manager could result in severe consequences. Veterans who learn this in the military tend to keep this trait when they move into a career after the military, which is often done via a top online bachelor degree program.
5. Teamwork
Being a leader doesn’t mean bossing everyone around and making all of the decisions. Sometimes it also means knowing how to work within a team and delegate work. Most military instills a very keen sense of teamwork, which will translate well into the business world. While working well with your team might not save a life, it will still be a job well done. Those in the military are even taught to work in a team with all types of people, both similar and different.
6. Drive
Many veterans have the drive to do something meaningful. Joining the military might have even been a way to initially fulfill this purpose. However, after the military, you can still find a great career that makes you feel like you have a purpose. Many veterans choose to go into medical fields, some of which may require further education. Many schools value military veteran education, where you can earn a degree in whatever field you’re interested in.
7. Ability to understand directions
The military teaches two things, how to give and follow directions. Both of these skills are absolutely necessary if you want to become successful in your chosen career field. Employers value any employee that can listen to directions and successfully complete a task, no matter how simple or difficult. In turn, to truly become an effective leader, you need to know how to give concise and effective directives.
8. Organization
This is a skill that is highly valued by many employers in a variety of different industries. The military teaches veterans how to be organized in a way that will not only improve efficiency but also effectiveness. This will translate over into the workplace in the quality and quantity of the work you produce. If you are considering going back to school, organization skills will also help you study and prepare for courses. A Master of Leadership online will help you understand how to handle and manage a team properly. There are many schools that highly value education for veterans.
9. Safety skills
The military teaches veterans how to be safe, even in treacherous conditions. This skill can be very useful, though you may not have guessed this type of skill would translate well into business and leadership positions. Understanding safety will easily prepare you for careers in security and theft prevention, among many others. Many companies even look for safety officers to look over the safety of employees and customers. If you’re looking to improve your skills, there are plenty of military veteran education options.
10. Adaptability
A lot of people are resistant in the face of change, even if it is just simple disruption to an everyday routine. The military trains veterans to be ready for any situation, allowing them to more easily adapt to surprises. The ability to be adaptable is highly valued in many workplaces that depend on employees adapting and getting used to a new status-quo.
A military background can provide you with a variety of useful traits, all of which translate into useful business and leadership skills. These are the top ten great leadership traits that veterans learned in the military.