Motivational theory — or why do people do what they do — is centuries old. Perhaps the best-known theory is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory has proven particularly relevant to my work in the technology sector. The first one I was taught was the Navy’s.
While not formally documented anywhere, every Naval leader knows that we ensure that our Sailors and Marines get their Meals, Money, and Mail.
The 3M’s of Naval Needs, if you’ll allow me to coin a phrase. [The Navy in the audience will recognize the pun on the official Navy 3-M system for Maintenance and Material Management.]
The Environment
Some context might be helpful here. Military work and life differ in nearly every aspect from civilian work and life. Yet we can discern patterns and echoes since they both are accomplished by people.
Military working hours often stretch past 12, 15, and even 20 hours. My own reconnaissance flights involved 12 hours of flight time, plus two hours of pre-flight and about five to six hours of post-flight maintenance and reporting. Life on ship is fundamentally a 24-hour endeavor. The sea never sleeps and a ship’s company must always be on alert. Watch rotations happen, so everyone theoretically has time off. Theory can interfere with practice though. Too often our Sailors are stretched past mere physical limits.
Pay and benefits are literally governed by Congress. Monetary bonuses are non-existent. Civilian companies regularly provide performance bonuses, sign-on bonuses, stock options, etc. Great performance in the military is acknowledged by ribbons, a piece of cloth and lofty words on beautiful parchment.
So, how to keep people motivated to work long hours for their ship and shipmates? We take care of them. Servant leadership is not a phrase invented by military leaders, and yet every military leader knows that we must take care of our people.
And in the Navy, this translates to ensuring everyone has their meals, money, and mail.
Meals
In his book, Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek relates a story about a Marine officer who allows his entire team to eat first, to the point that no food is left for him. His Marines then gather up enough food to provide the officer with a meal. This impulse, this injunction also lives in the Navy. If you ever observe field conditions or even a social event, you’ll see the senior officer eating last — if at all.
Ensuring that our Sailors have what they need physically is the leader’s first concern. Partially since we cannot guarantee their physical safety (the sea is an inherently dangerous place), we focus on what we can control.
The idea that a leader will give up the sustenance of life itself embodies the concept of Servant Leadership. The leader is there to ensure others have what they need. The troops do not serve the leader. Rather, the team is there to serve the mission. A leader does this best by serving the Sailors first.
Money
Money is the second leg of the Navy Needs Triad. And ultimately money, the pay that is due, is about promise. The assurance of our pay is the fulfillment of our promise. The Navy and the nation promise our Sailors that they will be paid for their work. The Sailors, in turn, use that money to care for their loved ones — or perhaps just the next amazing gaming device. No matter. The leader’s job is to fulfill promises.
This might seem fundamental, and fairly easy. The complexity of various allowances and special pays can make something as simple as a paycheck difficult. Indeed, all too often the pay system fails us, and personal leadership is needed to make it right.
Attention to detail is key. Leaders need to have the vision, yes. Leaders also need to know how to crawl around in the details.
Finally, our people must be able to communicate with home. To receive packages, letters, emails. The Navy can be a lonely life. Frequent and prolonged separations from family and friends strain even the healthiest of relationship. You can lock someone up, but you never deny them their mail. People are social beings. Even the most introverted among us need fellowship, friendship, and family. Without those things, success can ring hollow.
Leaders should also ensure that their people are included. Ensure that their people have ways to deal with stress. Ensure that their families are taken care of.
Back on Shore
Meals, money, and mail are the essential elements for Navy leaders and can inform leadership in a civilian setting as well. Leaders should be serving their people, understanding the details and watching out for their teams.
These needs are never simply nice-to-have. Without them, team members will have little energy or focus for the mission. When these needs are solid and predictable, we free up energy and time to drive innovation, to be creative, to seek new solutions and to have fun on the journey.
Watch out for your team, and they will do wonders!