{"id":5887,"date":"2025-06-26T15:51:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T12:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/?post_type=insights&p=5887"},"modified":"2025-11-20T21:01:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T19:01:50","slug":"5-lessons-of-military-leadership","status":"publish","type":"insights","link":"http:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/en\/insights\/5-lessons-of-military-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"How veteran leadership can reshape Ukrainian business: 5 key lessons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Among the founders of Ukrainian defence tech startups are many veterans of the war. One notable example is Trypillian \u2013 a startup that recently received<\/a> a $5 million investment from former UK minister Brooks Newmark. Together with recruitment agency CORE Team, Defender Media explores the broader landscape of veteran-led business in Ukraine \u2014 including beyond the defence sector. In this first piece of the series, Ivan Afonin, a veteran and advisor at CORE Team, shares insights on which military-honed qualities are helping veterans succeed in business.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, there are already around 1.3 million veterans in Ukraine \u2014 a number that could rise to 5\u20136 million, including family members, after the war ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once peace is secured, Ukraine will face not only global business challenges but also unique post-war economic recovery hurdles. While business depends on sound management skills, it is leadership that becomes essential in times of turbulence. Ukrainian veterans \u2014 even those who didn\u2019t serve on the front line \u2014 are bringing to business environments the mindset shaped by operating under extreme uncertainty and risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Decision-making under pressure<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What makes it into the newsfeed is just the tip of the iceberg. On the front line, conditions can change by the minute. Sometimes, there are only seconds to make a critical decision. Commanders often act without full information and may even have to defy orders \u2014 while fully aware of their responsibility for their unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Businesses frequently seek people who are not afraid to take the initiative. In veterans, they can find exactly that \u2014 individuals who operate on the principle: \u201cThere is no perfect moment to act. Do what you can with what you\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Teamwork over ego<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In the military, your pre-service background \u2014 whether IT, agriculture, or university \u2014 doesn\u2019t matter. In combat units, success depends on how well everyone works together. People learn to listen, to take responsibility not just for themselves but for the whole team. Victory depends not only on the skills of those on the front line, but on the cohesion of logistics, command, support, and reconnaissance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read more:<\/strong> From civilian to defence tech: Himera\u2019s Misha Rudominsky, Roboneers\u2019 Anton Skrypnyk and Oko Camera\u2019s Yevhen Syvachenko<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In business terms, this is the difference between an \u201call-star team\u201d and a \u201cteam of stars\u201d. Veterans can foster this team-first culture \u2014 encouraging mutual support, collaborative problem-solving, and post-action reflection, even amid uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Discipline and responsibility<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In the Armed Forces, discipline isn\u2019t just cultural \u2014 it\u2019s a matter of survival. Tasks must be completed precisely and on time. While initiative is valued, from day one of basic training every soldier learns that others\u2019 lives may depend on their actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This mindset carries over into business as a strong sense of ownership, detailed planning, and attentiveness. Veterans rarely say, \u201cThat\u2019s not my problem.\u201d We\u2019re talking, of course, about the generation shaped by a decade of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Crisis management as routine<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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Ivan Afonin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Look at the daily life of a frontline brigade or battalion, and it may seem like constant firefighting. While that\u2019s not entirely accurate, soldiers do face unpredictable crises daily \u2014 namely, enemy actions. You can\u2019t always plan for a bomb wiping out an irreplaceable observation post. Every day becomes a chain of emergencies that must be resolved instantly \u2014 without losing operational effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In business, this translates into resilience during economic downturns, shifting market conditions, or other challenges. Military service gives veterans a sort of immunity to panic. They\u2019re used to operating with minimal resources and delivering maximum results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Hierarchy and trust \u2013 not about control, but support<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Military hierarchy isn\u2019t about authoritarianism \u2014 it\u2019s about clarity: who\u2019s responsible, who makes decisions in a crisis, who can be relied on. At its core are people, and trust is the foundation. If a commander breaks promises, avoids accountability, or fails to support initiative, the unit loses effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In business, this becomes a healthy organisational culture built on shared values. A leader isn\u2019t a ruler, but someone who leads by example, with clear roles and mutual respect across the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading by example<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The most powerful asset veterans bring to business is leadership by example. In a healthy team environment, they don\u2019t wait for permission, hide behind orders or bureaucracy. They take initiative, deliver on promises, and work alongside others toward a common goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a strong subject-matter expert with good managerial practice is valuable \u2014 but not enough. Leadership enhances expertise, and leadership by example shapes strong company culture. This is precisely what Ukraine needs today \u2014 not just on the battlefield, but in its economy, tech sector, and public administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterword<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of Ukrainian veterans have already returned to civilian life and are thriving as entrepreneurs, managers, or consultants. Their stories aren\u2019t just \u201cinspirational\u201d \u2014 they represent a new standard of leadership. Leadership grounded not in theory, but in action. And that is the kind of leadership that can transform business \u2014 and with it, Ukraine itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ivan Afonin<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CORE Team advisor, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, military career consultant<\/p>\n\n\n\n