Think of military jobs and you might think of skills that, while critical for fighting wars, may not seem to translate to the civilian world.
At Mutual of Omaha we recognize today’s veterans are also a source of knowledge that’s directly applicable to our success. Skills taught by the military, such as leadership, project management and problem-solving skills, have proven valuable to our company and our customers.
The value of teamwork
Veterans are often exemplary proponents of teamwork. Completing complex, high-stakes missions requires a diverse group of individuals with specialized skills who collaborate effectively while overcoming great challenges.
Nathan Coates, an I/S architect III at Mutual of Omaha and a technical sergeant in the Iowa Air National Guard’s communication squadron, said the same teamwork integral to his military role is equally crucial in his civilian capacity.
“I bring that to Mutual of Omaha,” Coates said. “Whenever we have an issue with a tool or something in information security, you bring in the experts, you rely on them because they have the knowledge of the individual tools. If we can work together, we can solve that issue quickly.”
Pete Wilson, an I/S agile project manager with 25 years of service in the Marine Corps, has mastered the art of team building in scenarios where lives are at stake. In the corporate sector, the stakes might not be as dire, but the principles of creating reliable, effective teams remain consistent.
It all starts with the team’s leader and how well they know and understand their teammates, Wilson said.
“Number one is, know your people and look out for their welfare,” Wilson said. “By knowing your people, it's not just knowing what they do or knowing where they're from, it's knowing how best to communicate with them.”
The importance of clear communication
Tailoring communication to each team member and being an accessible mentor are pivotal for fostering team dynamics where everyone feels valued and motivated, Wilson said.
“Instead of just telling them what to do, it’s important to tell them why you're doing it, what impact that's going to have on the task at hand and how that's going to impact the corporate objectives.” Wilson said.
“I think it’s essential because it gets buy-in. They become stakeholders, and it develops a lot more interest on their part.”
For Advertising Risk Senior Analyst Natasha Preston, her 16 years in the military gave her the communication skills needed to succeed in her role at Mutual of Omaha and her position as a judge advocate in the National Guard.
Thanks to a military mentor, she was able hone her communication skills and develop the confidence to speak comfortably to large groups and senior ranking officers.
“I wouldn't be here without the military,” Preston said.
“Whether it was in my role as a transportation officer or as my role now, I have to have the ability to speak to large gatherings of people, whether they're two-, three- or one-star generals all the way down to our lowest enlisted members. Getting in front of people and speaking is something that I have to be able to do.”
The desired outcome may look different when measuring success on the battlefield or the boardroom, but the outcome always hinges on clear communication, Preston said.
“You can have this grand vision for what you want to see where you want your company or your team to go. But if the people on your team can't answer what that vision is, then it's not going to be achieved,” she said.
From team building to strong communications, the veterans working at Mutual of Omaha bring a wide range of valuable skills they acquired while on duty to the workplace. We’re proud to support these veterans and recognize the many contributions they make to our company.