Jo Haigh, Founder and tutor of OnBoarding Officers, reflects on how Boards may have been better prepared to manage business operations, cash flow and staff (to name a few), throughout this COVID-19 crisis with the input of military officers on the board.

Since the launch of OnBoarding Officers, I have been privileged to get to know some amazing and talented military officers over the last 18 months. I am now looking forward to getting to know more when we kick-off our 2020 OnBoarding Officers community later in July.

The talent that these astonishing men and women have has left me in awe. What is saddening, is that there is not an appropriate representation of these people in our boardrooms.

As the COVID-19 crisis hits British businesses, some CEOs have understandably gone into meltdown. Many entrepreneurs are used to dealing with challenges day in day out, but these are unprecedented times. Doors are being locked, staff are being furloughed and there are new and unforeseen risks coming from all angles.

The military officers I am meeting through the OnBoarding Officers community are much less phased by what such challenges present.

Whilst they may not have sat in a traditional boardroom, they have taken control in many a command room and on the various battlefields in which they have served.

These individuals eat and drink risk management, it’s been built into their DNA. They also innately understand the need to remain calm, thereby helping those reliant on them to keep calm and most of all, how to communicate with all their staff.

These unprecedented times also require a certain amount of appropriate humour. I have always believed that that very special skill, that we Brits have, in being able to see the funny side in challenging times, has and continues to help us deal with the very difficult, more easily than others may. Officers have used humour as a way of defusing difficult situations, they are aware of what’s appropriate and what isn’t.

Planning a military operation takes substantial preparation and this skill is invaluable, as is the ability to make difficult decisions and keep everyone motivated. These are just a few of those important skills, that could help you steer your board through this crisis.

If you want to find out more about the members of our community who can help you, or would like to join our OnBoarding Officers community, please visit our programme page or get in touch to learn more.

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