Rob O’Neill is the Navy Seal who claims credit for the killing of Osama bin Laden.
In a recent interview on Fox News he discussed some of the key points to being a member of Team Seal 6.
Turns out, whether you’re hunting down enemy insurgents or running a successful business, the same principles apply.
The message can be summarized in O’Neill’s four keys to success:
1. People skills matter-“Believe it or not, as a Navy SEAL, it’s important to get along with other people. People work harder when they believe in each other and they get along.”
Tommy Says-It’s no different in your business. If you have people in your organization that don’t have good people skills, they will drag you and the team to the bottom of the pile.
2. Prepare, but don’t over-plan-“People tend to sit in a room and do nothing and say, ‘We’re going to plan and plan and plan until we have the perfect plan.’ But they’re not doing anything. We learned that the only time the perfect plan exists is in the planning room.”
Tommy Says-In business you have to stay flexible. It’s important to have a plan but don’t get married to the plan. Everything we do has a moving target. Yes, give it time to work, but be ready to adjust and move on. Don’t look back. Keep digging.
3. Take emotion out of professional decision-making-“Your initial reaction to anything is the wrong reaction. That’s true whether you’re taking fire from a mountaintop in Afghanistan, or you’re the man or woman landing a jet on an aircraft carrier on the high seas at night, or you’re the person who makes lattes at 7 a.m. on a Monday at Starbucks and there’s a line around the corner.”
Tommy Says-Far too often we let emotions, relationships and loyalty affect our decision making process. If you do what’s best for the company, in the long run you’re doing what’s best for the people in question.
4. No matter what, never quit-A message from his SEAL training instructor applies to other life challenges: “You’re about to go to war for the first time, and the enemy is all your doubts, all your fears, and everyone back home who told you you couldn’t do this. Keep your head down. Keep moving forward. No matter what, never quit.”
Tommy Says-Don’t give up. Never, ever give up. There are people who want to see you fail. Keep pushing forward and you will drive them crazy with your grit, determination and intestinal fortitude. And, in the end you win.
That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs