Few life events are more stressful than heading into battle. Some service members experience the most severe trauma imaginable, including intense combat, extreme exhaustion, and the sorrow (or remorse) of losing a fellow soldier.
Entrepreneurs and business executives can gain valuable insights from veterans and current military members. These individuals, despite facing numerous challenges, emerge as exceptional leaders as a result of their survival instincts.
In this episode of Brilliant Thoughts, Dr. Barton Blackorby discusses the foundations of leadership with SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada. Blackorby is a vitreoretinal surgeon in the U.S. Army, specializing in restoring and enhancing vision for his patients. He has even ventured into war zones like Iraq to advance his practice and assist those in need.
However, participating in war inevitably results in acquiring life-altering skills. For individuals on the path to leadership, Blackorby shares his top strategies for leading others.
Humanize your team.
As a leader, it is tempting to focus solely on the objectives you wish to achieve. Viewing every aspect of your operation as chess pieces can create a disconnect from the human aspect of teamwork. Reestablishing empathy and mutual comprehension is crucial for attaining group objectives, particularly during challenging periods.
Blackorby spent his free time building relationships with his team members. By establishing a connection with his unit prior to the chaos of war, he ensured that each member had a solid foundation for success.
Blackorby’s approach involved negotiation and conflict resolution. Rather than calling team members to his office for discussions, he chose to visit them. Meeting individuals on their own terms shifted the power dynamic from him (the leader) to those with less influence (the team members).
Once the conditions for peace were established, Blackorby engaged in negotiations. Recognizing that most individuals faced perceived obstacles hindering their best work, he listened to their concerns and pondered, What can I do to alleviate some of that pressure?
These tactics are beneficial for entrepreneurs and business leaders, extending to all aspects of an organization.
“For instance, who do you think would be more successful in closing a deal?” Blackorby inquires. “The person who views the other party as an obstacle, or the individual who regards others as people and genuinely cares about their issues?”
Avoid catastrophizing.
Blackborby recalls that in Iraq, violent attacks occurred swiftly. The doctors in his unit carried pagers, which signaled the need to prepare for potential trauma.
While panic may be a natural response in such situations, maintaining a composed demeanor is essential for success.
Here is what military personnel are taught about managing stress:
- Recognize the worst-case scenario. Once the most catastrophic outcomes are identified, develop strategies to mitigate those risks.
- Recognize the most common or likely scenario. This practice helps clear the mind of worst-case scenarios, focusing attention on the immediate challenge.
“For example, if a surgery did not proceed as planned, the most likely outcome would be that the patient will likely recover,” Blackorby explains. “Most issues are fixable if I stay focused and follow the proper steps and post-operative care. While it’s important to acknowledge other potential complications, fixating on them can hinder my performance in the operating room as I might start thinking, ‘Oh no, I may have caused permanent blindness to the patient.’ This is not the right mindset to have.”
You can also view this process as compartmentalization. Stressful events tend to trigger negative thoughts, but remaining present and concentrating on the present moment can help manage them.
Breathe.
Solving problems becomes challenging when your mind is overwhelmed. To assist personnel in confronting this challenge, the military teaches a breathing technique known as Wim Hof. This technique helps reduce anxiety, allowing the brain to function optimally.
Here are the steps involved:
- Breathe deeply and vigorously for 25 seconds (similar to hyperventilation).
- Exhale most of the air from your lungs.
- Hold your breath for as long as possible.
- Repeat the process.
“By saturating your body with oxygen, you delay the need to breathe immediately,” Blackorby notes. “This provides an opportunity to calm your body and mind, managing your emotions effectively.”
Wim Hof can prepare you for various situations, including conflict resolution. In scenarios where emotions are running high among team members, it can be challenging to identify the root cause of an issue. However, envision the potential achievements with a clear, anxiety-free mind.
Eventually, you will reach a point where you can:
- Develop insights. Reflect on how you may have contributed to the problem, even if your role was minor.
- Recall instances where you received compassion from others. Recall a time when you made a mistake, and someone approached you with concern rather than hostility. Can you emulate this approach to de-escalate the current conflict?
Becoming a leader doesn’t happen overnight. It is a refined skill that requires years of learning (and unlearning) to grasp what genuine leadership entails. Nevertheless, mastering your emotions and conflict resolution are steps that will propel you closer to your objectives along the way.
