POHMER ON…
• Bearing Here are two links that take you ly/USMC-leadership
• Unselfi shness to the USMC documents that not Leadership Traits:
http://bit.ly/
Reading
• Courage only explain their interpretation USMC-leadershiptraits
Between the Lines
• Knowledge of these leadership principles and The stories about the rigorous
Leadership is important, but
• Loyalty traits, but also give examples of training that Marines go through
managing the situation you’re
• Endurance how to implement and personally are legendary. The goal of this
presented is also critical, and the
• Integrity improve in them. intense training, however, is not to
USMC training doesn’t stop with
• Decisiveness Leadership Principles: http://bit. make life miserable for the indi-
leadership. The Marines aren’t
running a business, per se, but
they have to react to situations not
always of their own creation and
adapt their responses situationally,
much like you do in your company.
Author David H. Freedman recog-
nized the management strengths
of Marine offi cers and studied
them in depth. His research cul-
minated with Corps Business: the
30 Management Principles of the
USMC, and many of the principles
in this book have direct application
to any business. Here are some of
my favorites:
• Aim for the 70 percent solu-
tion… You’ll never have all of the
parts and pieces fi gured out, so
assess as much of the situation as
possible, then be decisive; you can
always adapt as you execute.
• Organize to the Rule of Three…
Prioritize. It’s diffi cult to maintain
focus and execute well on more
than three things at a time.
• Build authority on demand into
the hierarchy… Maintain the man-
agement pyramid, but empower
at the lowest levels.
• Distribute competence… Edu-
cate and train. Cross train in job
responsibilities to give you fl ex-
ibility and improved effectiveness.
• Keep plans simple and fl ex-
ible… The more complex the plan
is, the more rigid and married to
the plan you become, and it’s dif-
fi cult to adjust when you need to.
viduals; it allows them to practice
their leadership and management
skills so these learned behaviors are
instinctive. They are prepared and
can adapt to the changing environ-
ment.
I’m not suggesting that you turn
your business into a Marine boot
camp or manage your teams like raw
recruits, but you can’t argue with
the achievements and successes of
the Marine Corps, and much of that
is the result of their principles and
training. Semper Fi…
Stan Pohmer is president of
Pohmer Consulting Group in Min-
netonka, Minn. He can be reached at
spohmer@pohmer-consulting.com
or (952) 545-7943.
Write in 805
50 Lawn & Garden Retailer January 2010
www.lgrmag.com
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