5 vital truths from a former soldier of the Israeli Army

The original of this article was written by a man who dedicated 2.5 years service life in one of the elite units of the Israeli army. During this time he learned a few truths, which to this day help him to achieve his in civilian life and in business.

Dan Shoenbaum, CEO of Redbooth in the present, and army sergeant Israel in the past.

I grew up in the United States, but volunteered to spend 2.5 years of life in one of the toughest military units of Israel.

I never thought about how to associate themselves with the military craft, but in college I came across a review of the book «A Purity of Arms: An American in the Israeli Army». This work aroused in me a response. The opportunity to join the army and try to become part of a small elite group of fascinated me.

I read with interest about the seemingly overwhelming tests described in the book. This began my journey to becoming a sniper Airborne Division.

I arrived in Israel - no friends, no family, no support, knowing only a few words in Hebrew. After 6 months, I have mastered the language, and the next 2 years have passed for me in the grueling physical training and under the pressure of learning teamwork. I came back a different person, has a set of invaluable knowledge and leadership skills that help me to this day.

These life lessons that I drew during his stay in Israel, shaped my personality and how I communicate with the teams that are managed today. Here are 5 lessons that I have learned:

You have to earn it

When a soldier joins the operations unit of the Israeli armed forces, he has nothing. Each item of equipment is earned the hard work and incredible efforts. The culmination of this becomes a 128-kilometer march, for the successful overcoming of which a fighter takes a hand. Every task seems difficult or even impossible, but only at first.

There were days when I thought that I could not finish the test, but every time I had finished, even if it means my colleague had to drag me to imagine the last mile. It taught me to have confidence in myself and my team.

The lesson I drew from this is that you can always discover their abilities, allowing to overcome the most difficult tests. Implementing such a principle, you develop a strong sense of opportunity to achieve everything that is conceived.

Unite to "take that hill"

In the army, we are just a bunch of guys with guns, but only until such time as we did not receive challenge with clear objectives of command. Commanders could tell us what we must take the hill, but was never told how to get to it - a solution to this problem has always been with us.

Commanders constantly calling us to work in a team, to work together to develop the best possible solutions to achieve the goal. I learned how to be an advocate for and support their team, give them room to grow and error. Together we learned from our mistakes, and this collective experience allows us to find other ways of solving the problem and not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Of particular importance played by management based on the strategic objectives of simple commands that everyone the opportunity to believe in their abilities and feel a niche in which they can achieve success.

A leader must be a generalist, not a specialist

Effective leaders - it generalists who hire outstanding professionals. It is impossible to be an expert in everything, but you need to know enough in various fields, to manage a team and to intervene if necessary.

As in sports, where football coach must understand the nuances of the game in every part of the field, an effective leader needs a versatile training. You can be an expert in what is one thing, but understanding what is going on around (and how to do it), is vital.

In business, I see it, instead of throughout his career working in the marketing department, take some time to work in the sales department, the department of business development, and then return to the marketing group. This will give a much broader look at all aspects of the business, allowing you to approach the job with a better view of the situation as a whole.

Be ready to get your hands dirty

The experience of military service affects the lives of every person in this small country. All men must serve a minimum of 3 years, and even women serve 2 years.

This experience will not get in any Ivy League universities. I worked side by side with men and women, radiating the spirit of leadership and self-confidence. Such difficult to find somewhere else.

There was no concept unworthy work. Commanders, officers and sergeants were in the mud, slept in tents, led marches. If we were freezing, soaked to the skin, or stay awake, then they were in the same position and condition. This approach facilitated the construction of the service and mutual strengthening in the team. You do not ask a colleague about something that would not have made themselves.

Often teamwork team gives much better results and helps hold the team towards a common goal.

Fell five times, get up in the sixth

The main lesson that I learned is that you can achieve anything, what can think of. If you shut the front door, find a way to solve the problem, to pass through this door.

We knew that in the end we will have to go 128 kilometers to obtain a green beret. At first, no one in the team did not believe that this is possible. However, in the process of training teachers nurture you confidence, allowing sincerely believe in the possibility of the march. Through this experience we have learned to stay focused and keep moving toward the goal.

In a business setting, we often see colleagues throw up their hands and refuse to go on, but for some courage and the right leadership leader can help them gain the confidence to stand up again and get success. I manage my teams so that they may have right to make mistakes, but always learn from these mistakes.

If you try to bring all my experience to one sentence, I would call it the knowledge of the opportunities offered under the feeling of mutual support within the team. Without your team you - nothing.