Lessons in Leadership: A Military Perspective

“When you have leaders who are willing to get their hands dirty, stay late with you, and not just bark orders, it makes a world of difference, especially when you’re loading bombs in sub-zero temperatures and performing hard physical work. … Leading by example was tremendously impactful for me when I was part of a team in the military, and something I try to bring to the work environment now.”

Read Gage’s Story

“In the military, I was leading units of 1,000 men when I was only 18. That was a crazy level of responsibility to put on me, but it was also super empowering. Now I don’t feel intimidated to lead large groups or to be the only woman in the room. And trust me—pitching to VC firms, it’s all men. As a person from the military, I feel extremely comfortable.”

Read Maya’s Story

“I got picked up for Officer Candidate school in 2007. That same year, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were raging. What I learned out of that experience has been so central to who I am as a leader and as a service member. There is a humility and a satisfaction of being able to put the uniform on and contribute every day and make it a better place for your teammates to come to work.”

Read Ryan’s Story

“[In the Navy I] had the opportunity to lead small and large teams through different military exercises. During my favorite military exercise, I worked with foreign militaries, NGOs and local governments to increase natural disaster preparedness. I led the missions in Malaysia and Thailand, which were truly life-changing experiences! … The ‘pay-it-forward’ culture of Booth reminds me most of my military service. Everyone truly wants you to succeed and accomplish whatever your ‘mission’ is.”

Read Kate’s Story