Veterans are disciplined, dedicated, loyal, are fast learners, have integrity and a strong work ethic. So you would think employers would be tripping over themselves to hire them. But often they have difficulty adapting to the differences between corporate and military life. According to Spencer Milo, a former sergeant in the US Army, “If you hire someone from the military, you are never going to be concerned if they are going to show up on time… they are going to give you everything that they’ve got.” But the transition can be difficult as veterans of our Armed Forces adapt to civilian life.
Educate Your Management to Educate Others
But adaptation is not a one-way street. Incoming veterans are absolutely not the only ones who should be prepared to adjust to a new cultural influence. Managers and corporate leaders who are comfortably versed in the military’s uniquely disciplined structure can actively see communication and language gaps ahead and navigate them creatively in search of more comfortable common ground. If your organization is already home to experienced veterans, those members of your workplace family may be the ones best equipped to recognize the ingrained strengths and expertise that will provide the greatest value in your environment. Military experience cultivates significant competencies and skills corporate life simply doesn’t develop as effectively. The right veteran could become some of the most agile decision-makers and collaborators to a company prepared to recognize and talk about how cultural differences can actually strengthen a team’s knowledge, world view and capacity for cooperation.
Help Veterans Find Opportunities
Veterans leave the military accustomed to [Read more…] about How Businesses Can Support the Career Goals of their Veteran Employees