Career Tips From Don Draper

The hit show Mad Men has added a new role model for men everywhere. Our list of influential men includes movie stars, rock legends, 00-agents, and now advertising agents. The cast and crew of Mad Men do a great job of transporting viewers to another time and place. And, as much as we love Roger Sterling, nobody embodies the manly qualities we're talking about like Don Draper. Jon Hamm's Golden Globe winning character recently finished first in our Top 49 Most Influential Men poll. So, what influence has Don had on your working style? Read on for some career tips we've gleaned from obsessing over episodes (we prefer to call it studying).

Play your position

No matter your title at work, play the position appropriately. This really boils down to knowing everything your job entails. Don always knows what deliverables his superiors, team and clients expect. As a leader, you should not consider any work to be “beneath you,” but you also need to be sure your team is doing their work, not just leaving it for you to pick up. Consider a manager whose team consistently leaves the bathroom a mess. If you were in this manager's shoes, would you talk to each member of your team, having a talk about bathroom standards that was boring and non-confrontational, but still left no doubt as to what you expected of your staff in terms of how to maintain the bathroom? If you're like most managers the answer is no; you'd simply start cleaning the bathroom yourself so you didn't have to have that uncomfortable talk with your staff. Keep the image in your mind -- some managers would rather clean up the toilets than tell an employee what to do.

Make it about the work

Do you come to work to make friends or to work? Don Draper certainly cares more about his work than he cares about the people on his team. Certainly, there is no need to be aggressive or to be a jerk, but this career tip from Don Draper highlights that friendship isn't the main reason to show up every morning. Go to work to get things accomplished and be effective. If you can be friends with those you work with (and it's almost always the case) that's even better, but never forget that it's also just a bonus. You might like the people you work with, but you don't show up at 9 a.m. every day because you like them.

Keep your mouth shut

One of the fundamental rules of knowledge as power is to never give away information when it does not benefit you. If you are in a position that affords you exclusive knowledge, the more people you give this knowledge to, the more diluted your power becomes. The rule here is simple: Keep your mouth shut -- and do it as much as you can (and the less you say the better). Your personal life, who in the office is hooking up, your boss' golf game -- all of that is valuable information in one way or another. Don't hand it out unless you have to. Don embodies all of these qualities. In fact, one of the very few times Don blows his cool is when he overhears the team dragging Freddy Rumsen's name through the mud.

This applies to everything except the work. If accounting asks for the month's numbers, send them over (a reply of “knowledge is power” would get you fired). Talk about the work as much as you like; if nothing else, it keeps you from talking about your private life or any juicy office gossip. Who do you respect more: The person who's always talking with you about the next big project at work or the person who's always telling you about their problems at home? Don Draper is a master in keeping his business private -- two words: Dick Whitman.

Respect what you do

Do you work with people who act like what they do is a joke? Not their industry, not their division, but their own individual job as a joke? You know, the guy who takes twice the smoke breaks of anyone else or who is always prowling the workplace, looking for somebody who's free to talk? Besides wasting time, this person is sending a clear message that they don't take their job too seriously. If you don't take what you do seriously, why should anybody else in the organization? You need to come to work every day convinced that you play a crucial role. Many men wonder why they don't command more respect in the workplace, yet they don't carry themselves with respect. This career tip from Don Draper teaches us the opposite: There's no need to brag about past success and no need to overstate your role, but never act as if your job is unimportant or your contributions aren't central to your team's success.

Dress the part

Don't overdress or underdress -- always dress for the occasion. Show up looking as snappy as you can while still looking like you're ready to hit the phones, not the clubs (or worse, the greens). We've covered plenty of fresh looks for men on the site, so be sure to study up if you're fashion impaired. Don't chase this month's fashion, stick with timeless looks that suit any situation -- some of the clothing on Mad Men are as current today as it was back then. Don't show up looking wrinkled and disheveled. If you work in an office where collared shirts and ties are expected, keep a spare tie that goes with most outfits in your desk drawer. That way, if you stain your tie before a big meeting, you're covered. If you really want to be on your game, keep some Shout wipes and a small bottle of wrinkle releaser on hand as well.

Master the mad men model

No question, our man Don Draper always makes things look easy -- during business hours at least. However, just because he makes it all look natural doesn't mean that these techniques can't be learned. Some of the subtleties of correct workplace maneuvering have to be on you before they're in you -- you'll need to do them consciously until they become more natural, until eventually you do them automatically. Don't expect to become an expert in something as difficult as learning to keep your mouth shut overnight; these are things you'll need to work at. If you can commit the time to making these behaviors a natural part of your workplace persona, you'll be able to get more done and get more respect while you do it. And that's the surest way to get ahead.

Real Man At Work

Doing your best at work means being effective and working well with others. But that doesn't mean you need to turn into a cog in the machine. You can keep your personality and still get your work done. In fact, many positive traits of a “man's man” are those that equal success at work: working hard, focusing on goals and confidence are all manly characteristics that translate well in the workplace. So, the actions that come from a well-adjusted man are a great asset to any company. Read on for some of the actions that help you be a man at work.

Make decisions

Indecisiveness is for losers. Get your facts, get some feedback from others, if you need it, and move. Spending too much time and energy in analysis paralysis causes wasted opportunities, and the decisions are usually no better. Just as we never have a big enough budget or staff for our ideas, there is never as much time and information for decisions as we'd like. Take enough time to make a great decision but don't worry about doing so perfectly. Just move -- action is energy, and fortune favors the bold.

Take responsibility

No matter how great you are at making decisions, the day will come when you make a bad one. Accept it, recover and move on. There's no sense in beating yourself up over it -- we've all taken a whack or made a call that (in hindsight) seems pretty dumb. But if you really and truly were doing your job with excellence, that's all anyone asks of you. So take responsibility for your successes and your failures. It shows others you're big enough to take your own hits, and remember that nobody likes a guy with an excuse for everything. Learn the difference between an excuse and an apology, and have your apologies ready.

Stand up

Whether it's the people you work alongside or the team that reports to you, show loyalty. A big part of loyalty is speaking well of your coworkers and yes, even your boss, behind their backs. Speak positively about your team and stand up for them when others take a cheap shot. This goes for people higher on the food chain, as well. Just because somebody occupies a higher pay grade than you doesn't mean they get to run drive-bys on your team. Legitimate complaints or commentary about the work are one thing, but to just talk smack is unprofessional at any level. Politely but firmly defend your teammate. Nobody likes being corrected, and the other person's demeanor toward you may be colder for a while, but in the long run, they will respect you for preferring loyalty over a quick laugh at another's expense while their back is turned. What if they don't come around? If they don't value integrity over putting others down, you've just learned something very telling about that person's character.

Don't gossip

What, did you think we were going to say that gossip is for women? Gossip isn't for anyone. Gossip in the workplace is destructive, counterproductive and unprofessional. What's more, keeping your mouth shut is a supremely manly quality. Only a fool tells everything he knows; the wise man observes and considers. Running your mouth at work can get you in all kinds of trouble, from making promises you can't keep to looking foolish to your superiors. So, if you overhear something or happen to have inside information, be a man and keep it to yourself.

Speak your mind

It's true that you should keep your mouth shut at work when it comes to gossip and idle chatter, but that doesn't mean that you can't have an opinion when it comes to the work. When you're asked for an opinion on the issues, speak up. Be informed and be able to support your conclusions, but make sure you have an opinion and take a side. Not having a strong stance just makes you sound wishy-washy. Yes, sometimes this will mean disagreeing with your boss, and, remember, this isn't an excuse to be a bully; you still need to present your ideas with tact (the whole “I'm just keeping it real” thing makes you sound like Carlos Mencia). But nobody likes a yes man, and there's nothing that says you can't disagree with others in a polite, productive way. Think a little less Carlos and a little more Don Draper.

Poised and professional

Being a man at work doesn't mean being macho, but it doesn't mean being a wimp either. Being an aggressive, chest-thumping lunatic is just as bad as being a lukewarm pushover, but in our experience most men in the workplace tend toward one or the other. There is, however, a middle way: being polite but powerful. The key is to go far enough without going too far. Think of work attire -- just because you need to dress well for work (and fellas, seriously, you need to dress well for work) doesn't make wearing a tuxedo appropriate. That would be overdoing it, and guess what else would be overdoing it? Being such a competitive jerk that you care more about “winning” every workplace disagreement more than you care about what's most effective.

So, with the same sense of balance you use in dressing for work, start bringing just enough of your masculinity to bear in the workplace. It will make you more productive, and you can leave work each night with that most manly of rewards: the confidence in an honest day's work.

Don't Ever Show Weakness

Every year around this time, I go to Florida for a little family time. I'm forced to spend a little time with the ball and chain, but I don't mind it so much anymore because the wife, after trying miserably for years, can finally make a tiramisu that doesn't make me wish I was sleeping with the fishes.

Though good alimentazione always puts a little smile on my face, it's the time by myself in the senior citizen hell that Florida has now become, which gives me the most satisfaction during my family vacation.

It allows me to reflect on the year that was, and the year that is going to be. Unfortunately for me, I made several mistakes during the year that was. Some involved wearing a Brioni suit to a "meeting" that I knew would involve some bloodshed, and others involved showing my true emotions when I shouldn't have.

Showing weakness is a mistake

Maybe I've gotten cocky, maybe I'm getting complacent (yeah, the big words are back), but by showing my cards during several sit-downs last year, I showed weaknesses I have never exposed before. Don't get me wrong here, I didn't act like a cafone, but I wasn't Joe Cool either. I broke a sweat when I shouldn't have.

And that got me thinking about the importance of never showing your weaknesses, and how important it is to never, ever expose them to anyone, not even someone close to you. (And if you are one of those bastardos who think showing your weak side to a woman will get you into her pants, well, all I can say to you is good luck.)

A man's standing in his universe is a reflection of his actions, reputation, demeanor, and respectability. Each facet of his standing takes years to build, through the promises he has made and kept and the discretion he has used with the information he has been privy to.

It just takes one little crack

Yet a man's standing can be destroyed in seconds when his strength of character comes into question. It doesn't take much for someone to destroy you; it only takes the right misstep. All great dons, warriors, generals, and businessmen in history had one trait in common: They successfully and repeatedly exploited the weaknesses of their enemies.

What's worse is that anyone can use your weaknesses against you, not just your enemies. Your colleagues, business associates, friends, girlfriends, mistresses, and even family may know some small facet of your life that they can use against you when the time is right. And those who are closest to you are always the ones who inflict the most damage, because you never expect your weakness to be used against you by someone you trust.

Think that can't happen to you? Think again. Nothing in life lasts forever, including a good relationship. Somewhere, somehow, goods things go bad, and more often than not, they can go from bad to worse

If you are a man of responsibility and leadership, then that responsibility should on no account be doubted. Don't put yourself in a situation that shows that you are not in control because it will cause those who trust you to lose faith in your abilities as a man of responsibility.

Your influence and reputation can also quickly diminish if those who live in your universe assume you are weak. They don't even have to know why, they just need to know that your reputation is no longer as strong as it once was, and before you know it, they will no longer respect your word. These are the long-term effects of being a consistent stronzo in public.

When do you show weakness?

So how can you tell when you are revealing yourself, like Aunt Carmine stripping an onion? Unless you walk around with a camera filming your every move, you can't. What you can do is be aware of which situations cause you to show weakness.

Fear is the No. 1 way to reveal your Achilles' heel. Everyone has fear, even a man with a death wish, but few are able to camouflage it. When you show fear, you show that you are unable to anticipate the outcome of something or deal with the situation's consequences in a controlled fashion. Your enemy will feel like a kid in a candy store. Show fear in front of anyone, and it is game over for your respectability.

Anger is another great way to reveal a weakness to your enemy. Everyone who is out to get you will try getting you where it hurts. Showing anger in a particular situation, especially if unwarranted, will reveal your game and expose what makes you tick and what makes you go boom. This doesn't mean that you should never show anger in public, just that it should be a subdued discontentment, not a tyrannical rage (get a dictionary you buffoons if you can't keep up with Mr. Dictionary over here).

Emotion should be eliminated. No matter how tough a situation gets, no matter how much you feel a stabbing pain in your heart, never let your enemy know how you feel. That is what I loved about Mustache Petes; the old-time Mafiosi never showed what they were thinking even when their fingers were being axed.

Remember, your enemy is anyone that is not on your side. Being indifferent emotionally means no one can know what you are thinking. Being emotional means opening a can of worms. It means there is a possibility that something you are actually feeling gets exposed, or worse, you can say something so stupid that even the rats lose respect for you.

Addiction, whether it's a love of gambling, narcotics, prostitution, or any other vice, can be a weakness used against you. Revealing your affection for habits deemed "unlawful" will bring you nothing but nightmares. You have a bad habit? Deal with it, and keep your mouth shut. You got yourself in the mess, get yourself out. Informing anyone of your little deed just increases the amount of knives in circulation that can be firmly planted in your back.

How to avoid showing weaknesses

Every man has weaknesses. No one is infallible, no one is indestructible, but if someone is going to destroy you, your reputation or your business, let them earn it. Don't give them the keys to the Porsche. Here are 5 things you can do to avoid showing weakness.

1- Never show your emotions in front of your enemies. This includes anger, jealously and pain. Keep them guessing about what you are thinking, and you'll always have the upper hand. It's like holding a royal flush.

2- Be stable. One of the ways a man can be seen as weak without actually revealing any of his weaknesses is by being unstable. A man who is respected can be counted on for reliability and consistency. When expectations are placed upon you, you should deliver on those expectations and fulfill the code of honor. No more, no less. Anything that isn't consistent is considered out of whack. Anything out of whack is considered weak. So stay in control, act if you have to, but never let a situation get over your head.

3- Be aware of your surroundings. Remain cautious at all times. Don't get lazy with your actions or words just because you feel you are in the company of those who are close to you. Ration your words; unless you have to say something, keep your mouth shut. More often than not, it's your trap that reveals the weakling that you are.

4- If a situation is going to be "scary," think about it beforehand. If you anticipate the situation and its consequences, you are no longer facing an unknown. Often, it is the unknown that brings you fear. That is why men who know they are going to die are at peace, but boys who see scare tactics flashed in front of them wet their pants. If you know what to expect in every situation you face and anticipate how to get out of any sticky situation, you won't be scared. No fear means no weakness revealed.

5- Never show confusion in public. We've all been in situations where we feel like we've landed in a Star Trek convention, with gibberish being thrown at us like an uppercut. Don't let the other guy know it, especially if he is a "client." Defer to others if you can't figure something out. When you deal with someone, never let them know that they are smarter than you, or know more about what is going on than you.

If a guy is explaining something you don't quite understand, don't make a face like Beethoven's 7th is coming out of your a**; nod, make a mental note, and ask a knowledgeable paisan that you trust. Nowadays, your head is the strongest weapon you have. Your weapon has to be respected, and in these ever-changing times, even the smartest Mafioso can get overwhelmed (I admit it) and need to fake his understanding.

Only amateurs show weakness

Look at me, I went on and on like I was a latter-day Dante. And to say what? To say that no one will respect you if they think you are weak. As long as they think it, it doesn't matter whether it's true or not. Worse, your weakness can and will be used against you when the time is right.

So keep your weaknesses nicely hidden in your own personal Fort Knox by being consistent in your actions, protecting your carefully crafted reputation, being cautious all the time (even when you are sleeping, keep one eye open), keeping your mouth shut, and never, ever showing how you truly feel in public.

Player Personality

Nobody’s perfect. Based on impressive conquests that come early and frequently in his career, a Player might erroneously assume that no further training is required. But as the realistic pickup artist ages, he becomes more secure and confident and loses the cockiness. He analyzes the continually changing social scene, and, although it’s often humbling, examines his own strengths and weaknesses. It’s difficult to accept that we’re lacking in certain areas -- and every human is -- but perhaps the following list of personality enhancers will get you started. Even if you believe you already possess the trait in question, there’s always room for improvement. And here’s one final note to ponder: Somehow, women seem to be able to spot men who are willing to work on themselves. They notice it, and they find it really attractive.

Be direct

There’s an ailment currently sweeping like wildfire through the young male population. It’s the belief that indifference and a distant demeanor is seen as universally attractive (which makes one wonder if the early ‘90s grunge theme is making a comeback). Shrugging the shoulders at direct questions and giving noncommittal responses doesn’t peg you as a carefree, deceptively deep and artfully morose individual -- it just means you don’t care about much about anything. Being direct doesn’t mean you unveil your soul to every girl; it means you look her in the eye, give her your full undivided attention, become actively engaged in conversation, and interested in her existence. This “yeah, whatever” attitude is not only childish but exceedingly off-putting in the eyes of most quality catches.

Fidelity

Don’t laugh. The Player has never recommended or even endorsed cheating, and this is for several obvious reasons. The true ladies' man relies heavily on a reputation that is skillfully created and cultivated, and he knows the well could dry up quickly if that reputation suffers. There’s a very big difference between getting a lot of women in succession and getting a lot of women at the same time. One results in sexually satisfied females who bear no ill-will toward you, while the other leaves a trail of bitter hatred and animosity, which will eventually become an impassable wall. Everywhere you go, women will know you’re nothing but a disrespectful lout with no real redeeming value and the best of the best will withdraw. You will be left with jilted divorcees and inebriated college girls, both of whom would likely go home with a broomstick if it showed interest.

Comedic appeal

“I need someone who makes me laugh.” Ironically enough, the funniest joke in all of romance and relationships is the fact that many women put “sense of humor” at the top of their most-wanted lists. If there is no initial attraction via physical appeal, the funniest man alive will receive the standard “thanks for the drink” and a polite rebuff. Even so, there’s no doubt a great sense of humor can give you an edge, so a would-be Player should always take a stab at being humorous. There’s a darn good reason why opening lines of conversation typically consist of a joke, but this will hardly separate you from the crowd. The key is to be spontaneously funny on a consistent basis, so she knows that whenever she’s around you, she’ll emerge from the encounter with a girlish smile. Unfortunately, some people just aren’t funny, so if you’re no Seinfeld, you should try another booster rather than embarrassing yourself.

Chivalry's not dead

Gallantry and charm never go out of style, as this Player always says. Some guys honestly believe it makes no difference in this day and age if he holds a door, pulls out a chair or takes a coat. He believes that women, who have struggled so hard to attain the equality they rightfully have, see such maneuvers as a return to the oppressive ‘50s, where you would have expected her to be pregnant in the kitchen at all times. But if you actually speak to girls about this, most will say they never lost an appreciation for such niceties, and no man who treats a lady like a lady will be rejected for his “old-fashioned” beliefs. Of course, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed -- ordering for a woman has never been classy, but simple gestures, like walking on the outside of the sidewalk to keep her safely inside, always resonate.

Be goal-oriented

As we all know, one of the very first questions a woman asks is: “So, what do you do?” We’ve reached a point where it’s one of the first questions on a man’s lips too, but that still doesn’t devalue the importance of having goals. Girls look down the road every bit as much as guys, and they want to know where they might be in a decade. They want to ensure that you’re not satisfied with being an assistant manager forever. The bottom line is that you should be quick to outline your goals and lofty dreams; any show of real ambition puts you in a more flattering light. Having clear and determined goals says a lot about you, especially as it relates to potential relationships.

Exude strength

Men who hem and haw over big decisions fall a few notches in a woman’s mind. In an off-shoot of the chivalry trait, strength and firmness of character resonate instinctively to women. I’m not necessarily saying that all women want a “take-charge guy,” but the more you exhibit a quiet sense of firmness and solidity, the more you will benefit -- at the very least, she will have more respect for you. You know what you want, and even when you don’t you address the indecision with a quick and accurate guiding hand. If there is a conflict of opinion, the strong individual calmly listens to the competing train of thought and takes it into consideration. It’s not about being stubborn; it’s about being confident and, in a way, trustworthy.

Be compassionate

If you can manage to be strong, gallant and compassionate, you’ll be downright irresistible in the eyes of prospective targets. Many guys consider themselves compassionate and sensitive, but that’s only in comparison to their peers. Women have very different definitions of compassion. Action represents the difference between the talkers and doers. It’s one thing to sympathize with the abused animals on that infomercial when your girl is in the room, but it’s quite another to go and adopt one. If your lady is sick, you can either call her and send your condolences, or you can show up at her door and give her some actual comfort. If you really think about that, you can exhibit compassion in a hundred small ways through the course of any given week.

it's doesn't come easy

Of course, these personality enhancers aren’t supposed to change your way of life, and, as always, they require some effort.

Old School Values For Men

The world is getting soft and lazy and overloaded with pussyfooters who have no hustle. The way most men act these days, I wonder if they were neutered or if they spent too much time nursing on mommy. The sickening whine I hear usually comes from my younger friends and nephews, who think of hardship as having to wait two minutes for a microwave to finish.

However it happened, these guys have lost what took centuries to become part of man's DNA. Along with having no patience, they're indecisive. They stopped seeing things in black and white and because of it have paralyzed their ability to move on. Sure, some men were like this back in the day too, but they didn't get far.

Today, being a sensitive wimp doesn't hold you back, although it definitely slows down everyone else when feelings are protected. Everyone wants to be happy all of the time, but feelings have to be hurt. If they are protected, then you get a bunch of sensitive, welfare-sucking whiners whose skin is as thin as their wallets. The best lessons learned in life stem from old school values, and they usually only take root in a person through personal knockouts. It takes an attitude adjustment brought on by taking an ass-kicking from time to time. The first time doesn't feel so good, but getting taught the hard way is the quickest way to becoming the teacher of lessons.

Tough love

They say: To forgive is divine, but unless you're a priest, forget about it. Mistakes need to be unforgiven so that others don't look at leniency as a green light for doing whatever they want. What good is a rule if it can be broken without the threat of punishment? The whole purpose of making rules is to keep people in line and bust the chops of anyone who steps out of it. In my world of old-school values, there is no temporary insanity or parole. If you made a mess, adios babbo, you ain't coming back into the fold with a simple apology. And no plea from your friends or brothers will change my mind, because forgiveness softens you up for the next time. It sets a precedent that says: "Go ahead, screw up -- it's OK."

Social flexibility

A lot of people these days want to do their own thing, go at their own pace, live life to the fullest. I see my nephew playing video games all day, locked in a fantasy world. When the idiot sits down at the dinner table, he doesn't even know how to talk. He's off in la-la land and doesn't have the first clue about how to fit in to a group. With my old-school values you go to the bar, a ball game or the golf course for leisure and socializing. You don't lock yourself in the house and play games alone. I have no place in my crew for mutes who can only hit out of the sand on the computer.

 Accountability

I stopped over at a friend's place one day thinking that he'd be at work. He was at home, drinking coffee in his pajamas. I asked him if he was feeling sick and he said: "No, I'm on flex-time." He works when he wants to, as long as he gets his job done -- when he's feeling "inspired," he said. I wanted to inspire him right then and there with my foot, but I'm not his boss. As for my schedule, it's hardwired into my brain. I don't use an alarm clock and don't wait for inspiration. I go after what I want with a hammer.


An eye for an eye

Not granting forgiveness is important, but nothing is as important as evening the score. It's about payback, taking a stand and showing the consequences of being double-crossed. Ever watch hockey? When the star gets jacked into the glass by a goon, you can bet your ass that the star's defenseman will be head-hunting the goon all night long. This is a basic principle of gaining power -- that you cannot turn the other cheek, but instead you have to take an equal pound of flesh. Here it's easy to get greedy and try to take a little more, but payback has to be proportional. That's why the Bible says "an eye for an eye" and not "two eyes for an eye." Payback is honorable, but anything more is likely to start a war. Don't bite off more than you can chew or you can expect another cheap shot.

Just desserts

Don't worry about those who can't keep up. Slowing down is just a way of rewarding the untalented. I took my kid to a bike race one weekend and he didn't finish in the top three. I said: "Good try, kid, maybe next year." It seemed like a good chance for him to get motivated, to make him want to work harder. But everyone got an award. They gave him a medal. I've been to enough horse races to know that only the top three get payouts. Even though he lost, he seemed somewhat pleased that he "won" something. I had to explain to him that the medal meant nothing and I made him throw it in the trash, because that's what it was a reward for losing, not that different from a pacifier for a baby. Losing should make you want to win; it should not satisfy you, because in the adult world you will have to go after what you want with every day. If you don't get yours, someone else will.

School of hard knocks


This is not the age of moderation, but I'll tell you that keeping things in perspective will help you get where you want to be. If you watch enough TV, you'll think that everyone is partying all the time and everyone is getting laid twice a day. The same rules apply. You work, play, sleep. That's life. Grandpa might seem like a crotchety old nag, but he's lived through the Depression and war and 40 years of marriage. He's old-school.

Failure Is an Option:

I’m scared,” admitted Private First Class Albert Blithe. “That’s why I couldn’t shoot.”

“We’re all scared,” replied the lieutenant. “Your problem is you still have hope.”


Lt. Robert Speirs was a war hero in World War II. His performance is just one of many stories memorialized in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. Based on the book of the same name, it tells the true story of the 101st Airborne, Easy Company. Unlike Lt. Speirs, PFC Blithe was not a hero. He spent much of the war crouched in his foxhole crying and rarely firing a shot.

Accept the possibility of failure


But it’s the lesson that Lt. Speirs teaches about the acceptance of failure that is so poignant. Courage is not the absence of fear; courage is feeling afraid and continuing on despite the fear. Great leaders, like war heroes, understand the risks they face and are at peace with the consequences. They are not blind to reality; they just accept it.


The best entrepreneurs are like Lt. Speirs. It’s not that they are not afraid of failure, nor is it that they ignore the possibility of it. Quite the opposite. The best entrepreneurs are the ones who accept the very real possibility of failure and proceed anyway.


It's the same in business as it is in war

Effective leaders inside a big company operate the same way. To operate based on conviction and belief requires an acceptance that your actions could get you fired. This is different from pig-headed bravado, and it is different from putting the company at risk. Lt. Speirs may have acted with audacity, but his actions never put the men of Easy Company in greater danger. He always operated with both his mission the good of the company in mind.


You'll be a more effective leader in crisis

The most effective leaders are actually better at guarding against danger when they acknowledge it that it exists. Cowards, in contrast, cling to the hope that failure will never happen and may be sloppy in the face of danger -- not because they don’t acknowledge that it exists, but because they are just too afraid of it to look it in the eye. This is the reason we’re always told to stay calm in an emergency. Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options.


If you’re about to undertake any venture that has risk, make sure to acknowledge the risk and to be at peace with the consequences that may come of it.


Your survival depends on it

Incidentally, PFC Blithe was shot in the neck by a sniper when he carelessly stuck his neck out of a foxhole in Nazi-occupied France. He died as a result of his wounds three years after the war ended. Lt. Speirs defied the reality he accepted and returned home to America and died in 2007, a decorated officer of the U.S. Army.