Back To Back Two Good Reads On Entry Level Leadership And Culture
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Writing Speaking -> subcategory Writing.
Two Compelling Reads on Entry-Level Leadership and Culture
This month, I explored two insightful books: "Soldier's Heart" by Elizabeth Samet and "Punching In" by Alex Frankel. Both offer unique perspectives on leadership and culture within the corporate and military worlds.
Soldier's Heart by Elizabeth Samet
"Soldier's Heart" offers a civilian’s view of the leadership culture at West Point, drawing on Professor Samet's decade-long experience as an English faculty member. With only a fifth of the academy’s faculty being civilian, Samet provides a rare, informed look into West Point’s environment.
Samet presents a balanced perspective on military culture. She argues that cadets aren’t eager to become mere "non-thinking slashers," but rather, they are shaped by a literate culture that leverage classical literature to reinforce American values. She highlights how literature serves as a tool to promote ideas and counteract threats to freedom.
Samet also touches on the spiritual dimensions of military life, noting how missions are intertwined with spiritual ideologies to maintain morale amid challenging times, such as the Iraq War. This is encapsulated in the Seven Army Values and the Soldier’s Creed, underscoring principles like Loyalty, Duty, and Integrity.
The Army’s longstanding commitment to values and mission statements is mirrored in many successful corporations. Interestingly, 24 of the Top 50 Military Friendly Employers in 2007 also recruited over 100 college graduates for entry-level positions, indicating shared cultural values.
Punching In by Alex Frankel
In "Punching In," Alex Frankel examines corporate culture by immersing himself in entry-level positions at companies like UPS, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The Gap, Starbucks, and The Apple Store. He discovered that these organizations strive to instill loyalty and commitment akin to a "Brand Army."
Frankel found UPS to be particularly commendable, describing it as a "Brand Army" due to the discipline and trust afforded to its workers. The company’s emphasis on uniformity and accountability mirrors military practices, highlighting its unique position in the corporate world.
Conversely, other companies lacked the same level of respect in Frankel’s eyes. Starbucks, while a community hub, struggles with uniformity across its numerous locations. Enterprise, though promising upward mobility, offers limited advancement opportunities. The Gap, similar to other retailers, prioritizes standards and policies over employee satisfaction.
These organizations, much like the Army, embrace uniforms and shared values. However, unlike the military, they exercise more freedom in hiring and firing practices. Frankel’s highest regard was for UPS, a corporation that closely emulates military discipline.
UPS’ remarkable 80 percent market share is a testament to its effective leadership and cultural strategies, reflecting positively on both corporate leaders and military counterparts.
In conclusion, both "Soldier's Heart" and "Punching In" provide thought-provoking insights into how leadership and culture are cultivated in both military and corporate settings.
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