Tactics that work in the game of real life can also be applied in the game of leadership. In fact, many seasoned military officers, sports professionals and business leaders master the art of applying tactics that work in the game. By engaging in the game of real world management, these individuals become skilled at winning conflicts and making hard choices that serve their important goals. The game is similar to chess in some ways but not in every way.
One of the most important tactics is being able to judge the overall strength of a situation. Although military and sports strategy often involves employing tactics that work in the game of war, your military or sports strategist should also be able to assess the situation and its potential outcome in a situation before taking any action. Just as in the game of war, the success or failure of a mission is often determined by the effectiveness of its execution. Just as your military strategist will assess the tactical situation and its potential outcome, your business leader and military officer should do the same.
Practical tactics also include being able to assess a situation and its potential outcome before taking any action. Just as you assess the strength of a military strategy in the war, your business leader and officer must also assess the strength of their tactical plan in a given situation. In addition, your business leader and officer should know how to make decisions under pressure and should be able to make sound decisions under difficult conditions. Just as in war, a leader must use his or her own discretion when it comes to taking action in a given situation. Although it may seem easy to take shortcuts and choose the easiest option, this option may have the worst possible consequences. Just as in war, taking a shortcut may result in a costly mistake.
Practical tactics also include knowing how to communicate effectively with others. Just as it is important to assemble an effective team when operating in the war, a good team leader should assemble an effective team in the game of business. Just as in war, communication is key. Whether it is through telephones, email, chat lines or face to face meetings, a strategist and leader should know how to communicate effectively in order to plan, direct and organize their teams in order to win.
It also include creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute to the greater good of the team and the organization. As with any team in any type of organization, if each member feels he or she is truly a part of the team, rather than a part of a group, then that person will be able to contribute his or her full effort and energy to the collective effort and benefit the team as a whole. This is a crucial element in every organization, as often an overlooked and forgotten leader can lead a team into defeat by simply not being able to produce the needed results.
It also include an understanding of human behavior and psychology. In the game of business, a military planner and leader must understand how to control behavior and persuade people to do things their way. In a military engagement, the psychological tactics a military unit uses against its enemies are equally valuable and necessary in winning the game. Just as winning in war requires psychological tactics that work in the real world, so too does winning in business and running a successful organization requires psychological tactics that work in the real world.
The ability of a team to influence, unite, and synchronize is also an important tactic. This concept is extremely valuable in both military and business endeavors. In a military where maneuver is critical to victory, and success hinges on being the first to arrive at a target, being able to coordinate with other teams and leaders and force them to work together toward a common goal makes the difference between success and failure. In business, it allows you to accomplish your goals by establishing teams that are complementary to one another. This helps to create a unified team that is more capable of achieving the tasks at hand.
Tactics that work in the real world include a commitment to teamwork and unity. Teamwork is vital to success in almost every endeavor. If a group of people are not committed to working together, there is little opportunity for teamwork and, in turn, there is even less chance for success. As a leader, if you want your group to have success, you need to be willing to share ideas with your colleagues, leading by example so that others can follow your example.
