Lessons about leadership in the field: spending three days at the Ministry of Defence

By Jasper Duijf — OGSM.com

As a facilitator at OGSM.com, I regularly supervise leadership programs and strategic heists in which teams work on sharpness, direction and results. Then you sometimes experience intensive days of driving. But what I experienced during leadership training at Defence was really “intensive days”.

Through VNO-NCW, I had the opportunity to join the Ministry of Defence for three days. none Koningsbrugge Camp, but a training that pushed physical and mental limits. Why did I sign up? Out of curiosity. To find out if I could do it, and to experience what leadership means in this classic form of asking everything from you.

Out of your comfort zone, literally

At eight o'clock in the morning, I and a group of a total of 25 entrepreneurs and managers reported to the barracks. After a short moment to land with coffee, we started: formation, marching orders, prints, packing stuff. With strict instructions, we had to make our beds in an old bunker that was once used for US nuclear weapons, without power, without running water and with a Dixi as the only “facility”.

We were in a completely different world. No luxury and zero comfort. The days consisted of endless marches through loose sand with jerry cans, beams and a tractor tire. Navigate in the dark with a map and compass. Sleeping (if that worked) in a damp sleeping bag. At night, we kept watch in pairs while the rest tried to get some rest.

Between the physical tests, we were taught about card reading, shooting tactics, leadership and working together under pressure. And yes, there were times when I thought: what did I get started? But every time there was someone who picked you up, cheered you on, put a smile on your face with a nice joke, or just looked into the eye with a determined look who said: we will continue together.

Leadership starts with seeing each other

We had 25 entrepreneurs and managers, all used to leading in our own world. But as soon as you crawl through the field in a camouflage suit, titles and functions disappear. What remains is behavior.

Sometimes leadership is the one who sets the route. Sometimes the one who keeps the pace. And sometimes the one who just asks how you're doing. It was precisely that human aspect that turned out to be one of the most powerful forms of leadership. One that is often too easily forgotten in business.

What surprised me was how quickly a large group of strangers became a close-knit team. Without hierarchy, no agendas, based purely on trust, a shared goal and the courage to take the initiative.

The art of planning

What struck me as an OGSM facilitator was the similarity with the way we often explain the theory of making plans. Not as something that is fixed, but as something that is constantly being refined.

We first learned to observe: what is going on, what are the circumstances, where are the risks? Only then plan — not based on assumptions, but based on facts.
then execute, evaluate, and adjust. Verifying over and over: do we mean the same thing? Do we understand each other? Where else can we look ahead?

That discipline to slow down before accelerating is exactly what I see going wrong in many organizations. It is often too fast in the solution mode shot, while the biggest gain lies in stopping for a moment, analyzing and getting to know where the energy really needs to go. So a good plan is never finished. It gets stronger the more you dare to test it against reality.

Alone you go faster, together you go further

After three days of suffering, learning, laughing, cursing and sometimes a tear, there was nothing left but respect. Respect for each other, but certainly also for the men and women of Defence, who are committed to defending our country.

Together, we've experienced what it means to trust each other, to step out of your comfort zone, and to discover that leadership doesn't always have to be loud or visible. Sometimes leadership is helping someone find their path in the dark, with an outstretched hand, a look of recognition, or simply saying: we'll finish this together.

And that's exactly what it happens: everyone straightens their backs, takes one extra step, and together you'll reach the finish line.

What an experience. 🙌

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About the Author

Jasper Duijf assists with OGSM.com organizations and teams in translating ambitions into a concrete strategy. He believes that real growth starts with focus, ownership and the courage to make choices together.

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