Force Multipliers & Pain

"A Force Multiplier is ~ A capability that, when added to and employed by a force, significantly increases the potential of that force and thus enhances the probability of successful mission accomplishment." Department of Defense.

The military, and particularly special operations, believes very strongly in the effectiveness of force multipliers in order to accomplish mission objectives. But what are force multipliers in business and how can we effectively use them to achieve our goals? I put it to you that they are essentially the same as those used by special operations units.

People ~ The power of a few highly trained and committed individuals to set an example and teach others through their character, attitude, dependability, work ethic and actions is enormous. Identify those few in your organization immediately. The few that take responsibility for results and possess an uncompromising focus on higher standards are critical to effective force multiplication. Engage them with a selfless responsibility to teach, train, and set an example for others to follow. One then becomes two, two becomes four and four becomes eight. The character of our people holds the key to force multiplication.

Attitude ~ Our attitude toward these few is critical. The standards we set must challenge each one separately. Consequently they are individual based. Identify the potential of each person individually. The objective is to get the most out of each according to their own unique capabilities. Talented individuals, those who accomplish what others find difficult easily, need to be challenged the most. The attitude must be that those with the most to contribute hold a responsibility, an obligation, to the team and the mission, to train and support others to achieve more of their potential. Teach them to teach.

Intel ~ You need good intel to be successful in any mission. You need to know where you are going. What is currently happening there. What you want. And what other people want. You need to know what motivates people and you only get that by listening to them and observing their behavior. When people say one thing and do another always give credibility to their actions and results over their words. Develop people who accept accountability for both their actions and their results. There are no good reasons or excuses for bad results. Bad results come from bad actions, bad attitudes and bad intel.

Never ~ Never, ever, give up. Never, ever, leave someone behind (cut those from the team that aren't on board - but never leave a team member behind). Never admit defeat and never, ever, think you are bigger than the mission or the team. Develop a great culture. Develop a special team. Develop Force multipliers. It takes pain to develop force multipliers. People, Attitude, Intel & Never = PAIN. But pain is good. Why? - Because it let's you know you're still alive. Embrace the pain - Go ahead ~ Develop force multipliers in your business.

And ~ Don't Be Weak ~ Be A Force Multiplier Yourself.