The military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been in the news a lot lately. While people may not agree on the policy and its impact, we can agree that the military excels at producing “clutch” leaders.
These are leaders who succeed under pressure. They make combat decisions with life-or-death consequences.
According to Paul Sullivan, author of Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t, we learn from military training at Westpoint that all clutch leaders possess five traits.
- Focus: They block out everything that distracts from their goal.
- Discipline: Staying the course under pressure.
- Adaptability: Being willing to change directions.
- Being Present: Responding to what comes up. Focusing on the present stops you from focusing on past failures or anticipating great future success.
- Fear and Desire: The balance of these two emotions keeps you on track. Fear of failure combined with a desire for success is a powerful combination, especially if you are embarking on a new project or direction.
While some people may not want to discuss certain topics in the military we can certainly learn leadership qualities by talking to and watching “clutch” leaders in the organization.