Leadership

Corporate versus US Military

Are there lessons to be learned?

Organizational Behavior

Spring Semester 2015

Hans Barre R03749040

Darren Yeh

Athena Cheng

Hank Chang

April Chen

Peter Xie

Leaders are born into this world each day. As they traverse through the channels of life they each

find themselves on career paths that suit their appropriate lifestyle. Given the social norms in our societies

there are two main career paths that exist. This report will focus on those two; Corporate and Military.

Specifically the US Military, given its might and high level of maturity.

At first glance these two career paths may seem extreme and opposite. But as our group explored

them in more detail, it became evident that there were many similarities. These similarities were compared

and assessed in many different areas. Utilizing the principles taught in the Organizational Behavior

curriculum as a foundation, our group was able to go a few steps further and identify areas where could

take leadership notes from the US Military. Below is an initial comparison to set the tone for the report.

Military versus Corporate

Military: Command & Control Operations Model

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Hierarchical / vertical structure

More exact rules of conduct

Defined roles, rank & status (defined/assigned military occupational career fields)

Consistency across units/organizations

Clearly defined career progression

Veterans share a bond in beliefs, traditions, values, and the importance of rank and structure

Corporate/Non-military: Collaborative Model

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Matrix structure

More implied or "understood" rules of conduct

Flexible/ambiguous roles & status

Variations across teams/divisions

Less defined career progression / opportunity for lateral assignments

Corporate culture imposes corporate values on the organization

Similarities

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Cascading goals from the top to the down

Accomplishing goals efficiently

More focus on teamwork than...