SAS: Who Dares Wins star Jason “Foxy” Fox gives his survival guide to the war at work
"Who Dares Wins” has long been our motto in the SAS, and for much of our history, that one pithy statement has made for an apt summary of how we operate in the field of combat.
Although not comparable to the thick of war, the same can be said for business: if you dare, you win. When it comes to leadership, learning how to tackle an issue head on is an indispensable skill. Knowing how to handle a worst-case scenario, or the techniques required to remain calm under extreme pressure, will help you to become a better leader. Here’s a few we’ve learned over the years.
Mission planning
In the Special Forces, you need as much information as possible to come up with a foolproof plan that will beat the enemy. You’ve got to call upon a lot of different departments and agencies, and make sure your team is up to scratch to get the job done – especially in a life or death situation.
In combat, you can plan and plan all you like, but things can always go pear-shaped. The minute it does, don’t get hell-bent on sticking to the plan. If it starts falling apart, you’ll start falling apart, so stick to it as rigidly as possible, but be ready to adapt in a second. If you can see that something’s going to go wrong, roll with the punches.
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In a gunfight, unexpected things can happen very quickly, and most people have a tendency to just carry on blindly, and allow the situation to dictate the speed. Success will come from taking 10 seconds to step back, calibrate, and understand the new situation. Give yourself the opportunity to be flexible, give yourself time to react. Control the situation, don’t let it control you.
Conflict
Everyday life can be like war. That might seem dramatic, but it’s true. People get into a dispute; arguments and disagreements can take place almost anywhere. Business is no different. There are underlying politics and social tension in most offices and teams, and we often fail to see the flashpoints coming.
Whether it’s conflict between businesses or between departments, it must always be resolved with the least damage to either party. Conflict can be heated and our actions can become irrational. We can panic and make drastic decisions when shrewd-thinking is called for. The results might be negative and long lasting, and there is usually collateral damage. But how we operate within conflict situations is often the sole determining factor in reaching a successful conclusion.
Leadership and Responsibility
Strong leaders across the special forces are vital. Being a good leader is about understanding your team, and knowing who to call upon in any given situation. Everyone in your team has a role, and making sure everyone is involved as much as possible will build up team strength.
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Don’t allow people to just sit in the background – give them a sense of purpose, a sense of worth, and empower them. If you give your team incentives and clear objectives, give them an opportunity and play to their strengths, it will pay dividends.
Leadership is as much about emotional awareness as it is communication. In the regiment you can be working in 30 man or four man teams, or even on your own doing surveillance in a high-risk area. Even though you might feel alone, you still have someone in your earpiece at all times, and you’re always working towards one goal, delivering something for the lads you live, love and work with.
Jason Fox is joint founder of Break-Point. SAS: Who Dares Wins: Leadership Secrets from the Special Forces by Anthony Middleton, Colin Maclachlan, Jason Fox and Matthew Ollerton is available now (Headline, £20).