26 Inspiring Quotes About Crisis Management and Teamwork from Military Veteran Entrepreneurs Here's what these brave men and women learned about risk-taking while serving our nation -- and how it helped inspire their businesses.
By Dan Bova
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Over the years, Entrepreneur has had the honor of speaking with brave men and women who proudly served our country and made great sacrifices to keep the rest of us safe. Many of these incredible people have taken what they learned in the military — lessons about productivity, organization and risk assessment — and applied it to launching and running successful businesses. We have gathered some of their most insightful quotes here to inform and inspire us all to fearlessly strive for greatness.
To all current and retired members of the military community, thank you for your service!
Related: How to Take the Right Risks
Rob Ceravolo"Risk is measurable, controllable, and not something to be feared."
"Risk is measurable, controllable, and not something to be feared. As human beings, we take risks every day, and we subconsciously mitigate that risk by putting controls in place. For example, the concept of driving a vehicle at highway speeds is a risky endeavor, but we wear a seatbelt, drive the speed limit, stay in our lane and we somehow survive that high-risk drive. The military does a great job of teaching us how to proactively identify hazards in all high-risk endeavors and apply controls to lower the risk to an acceptable level and increase survivability. This is why I was able to safely and consistently land a jet on an aircraft carrier in all kinds of weather, at night, after a combat mission (which always made my knees shake). Applying the concept of risk mitigation to a business is a game-changer. It gives you the confidence to accomplish what others think is impossible." — Rob Ceravolo, founder and CEO of Tropic Ocean Airways, Navy veteran
G-Force"Service members are perceived as people who blindly jump into things, but we are the complete opposite."
"The military taught us that there are risks in everything that we do. However, all risks can be mitigated by training and preparedness. In order to get positive and successful results from risks, we need to understand them, plan and create a risk assessment. A risk assessment is a list of risks with actions that can lessen those risks. Service members are sometimes perceived as people who blindly jump into things, but we are the complete opposite. Our moves are all very calculated in order to see the best results." -- Vish and Melanie Munusami, owners of G-FORCE in Tampa, Army and Army National Guard veterans
Sunship Films"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
"In Special Forces, you're on a 12-man team that is deployed to different parts of the world and often you are asked to be the representatives of the U.S. government. Now imagine a small team that is given an impossible mission — it's just like a startup in many ways. You go in, gather whatever intelligence you can, then put together a plan to accomplish your mission: what resources you're going to need, team responsibilities, the most likely response from the enemy, things of this nature. We learned all of that in the Army, and now as entrepreneurs, find that that kind of tactical planning applies to business as well. And the strength of your team is vital to your success. There's a saying that fits with what we've done in battle and what we're doing now with Horse Soldier Bourbon: 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.'" — Scott Neil, co-founder and COO of American Freedom Distillery, retired Green Beret
Soraya Goddard"Don’t ever let perfect be the enemy of good."
"What I love about the way military discusses risk is that we know there will always be risk. Your job is not to avoid risk; it's to make an informed decision with as much data as you have at the moment. The catch is that you may not have all the critical pieces of information that you want, but if you wait for those pieces, you'll miss the opportunity. I think the lesson translates perfectly to business -- most times you need to just take action with what you know and not be paralyzed about being perfect. One of my favorite sayings is, 'Don't ever let perfect be the enemy of good.'" -- Soraya Goddard, marketing expert and career coach, Army active duty
Tony Swinehart"The more prepared you are for any situation, whether it be work or life, the better the results you will have in all facets of your future career."
"Joining the Army was a risk in itself, especially during the times I served. However, one of the many things the army teaches you is how to properly prepare yourself for "risky" situations through training and education. The more prepared you are for any situation, whether it be work or life, the better the results you will have in all facets of your future career. People should understand that when you're hiring or working with a veteran, you're alongside an individual who has superior leadership and decision-making skills. After working alongside a variety of comrades, a central part of my leadership style is playing into others' strengths. The Army taught me how to have a great sense of identifying teammates' skills and basing their daily duties around that to create a team environment that operates efficiently and also keeps morale up." — Tony Swinehart, Lead Senior Technician at Safelite AutoGlass, Army veteran
Melissa Bryant"You must balance between 'mission first' and what is an acceptable level of risk."
"The old adage in business goes, 'The higher the risk, the higher the reward', but in the military, we're talking about lives on the line, not a stock portfolio. So you must balance between 'mission first' and what is an acceptable level of risk. That said, if nothing else, the military teaches you to be brave when facing high risk and to trust your training, preparation, and instincts." -- Melissa Bryant, Chief Policy Officer at IAVA, Army veteran
Pamela Jones"When you get told 'no,' you keep going back, and you find a way."
"The leadership skills I learned [in the military] helped me to be confident and to grow the business. Another thing is by being worldly, you learn to be diverse with people and respect their culture. When you've been living in different countries, you have a different perspective on the world. I think that helped me network with a lot of people in a way that some people may not be able to.
"You got to be flexible. When you get told 'no,' you can't get snappy. You keep going back, and you find a way. Sometimes you have to be a little patient and understand how to work with people. Relationship building in this business is key." -- Pamela Jones, CharBoy's, Army and Navy veteran
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Andrew Weins"Risk it all and risk it often."
"Being in the military taught me to risk it all early and to risk it all often. No matter how hard business gets, we are all coming home every night. The same isn't always true overseas.
"As an entrepreneur, I have to put everything at risk every day. It's remarkably easy to continue doing what you've done the day before and the day before that, but I have learned that if you're not willing to take a risk, then you will stop growing and you will not be successful." -- Andrew Weins, owner and operator of the Menomonee Falls, Wis., territory of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, Army veteran
Related: 'Risk It All and Risk It Often' According to This Veteran Entrepreneur
Jason Hardebeck"The greatest risk is taking no action."
"The greatest risk is taking no action. My first commanding officer used to say, 'Always do something. Never do nothing.' Having a bias for action encourages you to take small risks early, which can keep things from escalating into situations of greater risk that are harder to deal with later." -- Jason Hardebeck, founder and CEO of The Foundery, Navy veteran
Related: The Greatest Risk Is Taking No Action, Says This Military Vet Entrepreneur
Bishop Garrison"It is vital to remain flexible."
"Being in the military often meant that I had to remain flexible to change -- in orders, in personnel leaving and arriving, in mission scope, in available resources. And all of that remains true in the business and nonprofit worlds." -- Bishop Garrison, interim executive director at Truman National Security Project, Army veteran
Related: The 5 Best Financing Options for Veterans
Alexandra Kavi"Everyone buying into the team effort is essential to success."
"Aside from identifying risks, the only way to overcome inherent risks is by implementing controls as best as possible through effective communication and relying on the team as a whole, so all are informed of risks in order to do their best to mitigate them. This also allows for appropriate accountability for any risks that have not been effectively overcome. At the end of the day we are only as strong as our weakest link! Team training and everyone buying into the team effort is essential to success." -- Alexandra Kavi, owner of Urban Bricks in Killeen, Texas, Navy veteran
Discovery Communications LLC"In times of stress, be calm, be cool and be efficient."
"My training in the military has taught me how to handle extremely stressful situations: be calm, be cool, and be efficient. ... In the moment that something strikes, what matters is all of the tiny little decisions you've made up to that point. So if you're sitting at that computer and you have this overwhelming fear of all these things that are about to wash you away, think about everything you've done to prepare for that moment and stay calm. Which leads to the next question: what are you doing to prepare?" -- Tim Kennedy, Green Beret, MMA fighter and host of Discovery's Hard to Kill
Related: Use This Green Beret's Inspiring Strategy to Make Friends With Fear
Socrates Rosenfeld"Risk narrows opportunity; uncertainty broadens it."
"Being in the military taught me the difference between risk and uncertainty. While risk narrows opportunity, uncertainty broadens it. For instance, implementing measures such as contingency plans, quality control and redundant communication will enable teams to manage their risk in order to continue the mission. However, when it comes to uncertainty, great teams are able to position themselves to gain an advantage. A weak team will mistake uncertainty for risk, and as a result, will be quickly surpassed by those teams that can see the opportunity within the uncertainty -- and are ready to seize the moment." -- Socrates Rosenfeld, CEO of iheartjane.com, Army veteran
Related: 5 Ways This Veteran Used His Military Experience to Grow a $3.5-Million Beard Grooming Business
Brandon Webb"When you confront your fear over and over, you master it."
"The military taught me that fear -- we all have it -- and risk can be mitigated to an acceptable margin that can be executed against with action and purpose. Once you get comfortable confronting your fear over and over, you master it. That's a powerful place to be in life, whatever you pursue as a career." -- Brandon Webb, founder and CEO of Hurricane Group, Navy veteran
Related: The One Trick This Navy SEAL Used to Turn Failure Into Success
Colin Wayne"'Fear of failure' shouldn't be in your vocabulary."
"The military is one of the top contributing factors to my success. 'Fear of failure' is something that shouldn't be in your vocabulary in the military, or entrepreneurship. You need to take calculated risks and not be afraid of setbacks. And in both cases, you need the mindset that I will do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission." -- Colin Wayne, founder and CEO of Redline Steel, Army veteran
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Ranger Up"No one is going to swoop in and save the day. You either solve a problem or you don't."
"In the military, what people don't realize is that you are often put in a position that you've never been in before. You either solve a problem or you don't. ... When you're an entrepreneur, you have to understand that no one is going to swoop in and save the day. People think entrepreneurship is exciting and fun, but the truth of the matter is that it is a grind. It's not about the end zone, sitting on a beach with a drink, it's about solving problems. You have to enjoy solving problems for your customers and for your business." -- Nick Palmisciano, founder and CEO of Ranger Up, Army veteran
Related: How This Army Veteran Turned His Hobby Into a $20 Million Business
Sean Flynn"Never go anywhere for the first time."
"Never go anywhere for the first time. It is a statement on the value of being prepared. This mantra takes a second to sink in, but I remember well learning that failure to prepare was preparing to fail. Much like a military mission, success in a business presentation, a sales call, or critical investment is often determined before you even start. Spend at least one-third of the time available preparing, and two-thirds of the time executing." -- Sean Flynn, U.S. CEO of Gympass, Army veteran
Jeff Allen"You don't need to accomplish every task in a particular mission for it to be a success."
"There is a common misunderstanding about former military service members. Some people believe that veterans who served were just order takers, executors, people who just blindly did what they were ordered to do without thought or consideration. The reality couldn't be more opposite. Military personnel are trained in something called 'commander's intent.' It's the underlying concept of any operation that describes the outcome the commander wants to see happen no matter what. It may be impossible to accomplish every task in a particular mission, but if the commander's intent is achieved, the mission is a success." -- Jeff Allen, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Middle Tennessee, Army veteran
John Dell"Use the technique known as 'three up and three down.'"
"A management technique I learned in the military is known as 'three up and three down.' In brief, it focuses on the three most important objectives of a mission and as well as the three elements that were at the greatest risk of it not being accomplished and then addressing how those issues were being dealt with. Without this approach, meetings/briefings can wander to less productive topics, while ignoring the topics/activities that really needed to be focused on. This approach has proved invaluable in my business career over the years and will continue to do so." -- John Dell, Subway franchisee and development agent, Army veteran
Related: Use This Green Beret Morning Routine to Feel Energized All Day
Dr. Chris Tomshack"Soldiers rely on passion to be effective."
"Soldiers rely on passion to be effective. The same quality should be applied professionally. When you hire a veteran, you're getting someone who wants to win, who wants to succeed and who is self-motivated. They are also disciplined and approach assignments with logic and order. These are personal strengths that make veterans valuable to employers." -- Dr. Chris Tomshack, founder and CEO of HealthSource, Air National Guard veteran
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Jo McCabe"My military background taught me how to create a successful team by surrounding myself with smart people."
"My military background taught me how to create a successful team by surrounding myself with smart people. It's important to know your strengths and weaknesses and to put people around you who have shared values and who can do the things you're not good at. I don't want to be the weakest link in the chain!
"I would add that being part of a team is to expect to learn from everybody. I was 21 years old and had just graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. I was sent to my first squadron as a division officer. In that role, I was in charge of leading 10 people who were 10 to 15 years older than me and who knew a lot more than I did. I walked in and said if you want me to lead you, you'll have to train me -- I'm here to learn from all of you, and they welcomed me in and taught me a lot." -- Jo McCabe, owner of Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia, Navy veteran
Ann and Borg Siburg"Veterans will do what we say we are going to do or die trying."
Borg Siburg: "They will get a reliable, hardworking and determined individual. We are goal-oriented and will always seek to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission."
Ann Siburg: "We will do what we say we are going to do or die trying. I believe that vets have a depth of determination to achieve as well as a core of integrity that puts honor at the forefront of business dealings."
-- Ann and Borg Siburg, owners of SpeedPro Imaging of Scottsdale, Army veterans
Bill Copeland"Vets are mission focused -- give them an assignment and watch them get it done, correctly and on time."
"When someone hires a veteran, they may not realize that the person they are getting has been exposed to so much more at the age of 22 than what most individuals will ever see in their lifetime. These experiences allow them to think and process differently. Vets are mission focused, so give them an assignment and watch them it get done, correctly and on time. Vets also have a strong commitment to teamwork and will support team members in whatever capacity is necessary. Finally, you will have a professional on your team looking to prove that they can excel in whatever task you give them." -- Bill Copeland, owner of Glacier Confections in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Army veteran
Related: Use This Green Beret's Inspiring Strategy to Make Friends With Fear
Yonas Hagos"When I have fear of what could happen in business, I tell myself, ‘No one is shooting at you.'"
"Having been in combat and almost losing my life after being wounded, I have become fearless and numb to a certain point. Occasionally, when I have fear of what could happen, I tell myself, "No one is shooting at you. It's not a life or death situation.' No fear of risk is worse than where I have been. No one wants to lose money but you can work to get that back. Every time I open up another store or development area, I know it is there but I choose not to be afraid and see it through. My instilled discipline helps me overcome that fear and even though I know it is still there, I have control over it." -- Yonas Hagos, owner of multiple businesses, including Pet Supplies Plus in Normal, Ill., Army veteran
Related: Entrepreneurs Aren't Risk-Seekers -- They Just Handle Risk Better
Charles C. Carolus"If you don't believe in yourself or the goal you are working toward, you'll never take risks necessary to succeed."
"The Navy taught me that you'll unquestionably need to make sacrifices to create a more promising future. If you don't believe in yourself or the goal you are working toward, you'll never take risks necessary to succeed. If you don't think that you're capable of achieving those goals, you will come up with reasons why it's not feasible, and you'll never do it. I haven't done it by myself either. You assess your risks by asking questions, talking with mentors, and educating yourself! It all boils down to: What's the worst thing that could happen if you take a risk to accomplish something great? Once you decide to take that risk, own it!" -- Charles C. Carolus Jr., Hi-Five franchise owner in San Antonio, TX, Navy veteran
Jim Stefanchin"The military taught me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable – befriending risk."
"The military taught me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable – befriending risk. I faced a number of challenging scenarios – be it a case of survival or flying a multi-million dollar airplane around the globe – my 24 years in the Marines Corp and Airforce Reserve required me to make a calculated decision on the spot, and stick to it. The military trained me to be accountable and take initiative in whatever position or mission I was assigned, which in turn has allowed me to anticipate and assess any risks with the decisions I make in my current role today." — Jim Stefanchin, Director of Talent, Learning & Organization Development at Panasonic North America, Marines Corp and Airforce Reserve veteran
