Use This Navy SEALs Technique to Supercharge Your Results.

One of the most admired and feared special forces groups in the world right now is the U.S. Navy SEALs.  They have a long and very successful history of going into some of the most difficult tactical situations in any conflict. 

So, what is the reason for this astounding success? 

Is it intense discipline?  Yes.

Endless hours of training?  Yes.

Superb physical fitness?  Yes.

Fantastic tactical procedures for handling the most dangerous situations?  Yes.

None of these come as a surprise to anyone who has studied military special operators.  However, the argument could be made that ALL special forces teams need these elements to be successful.

The SEALs Special Ingredient

The Navy SEALs have perfected a particular method of operation that allows their teams to enter a state of flow as a group.  When the teams are working, they seem to operate with one brain and are totally fluid even though there can be many members involved in a mission.

This method of operation is called Dynamic Subordination.

Dynamic subordination could be defined simply as “the person that knows what to do next is the leader,” but it goes deeper than just being aware that you do not know something so you delegate.

Dynamic subordination means that you may (and in the case of the SEALS) know what to do but another person knows better than you and they take over, seamlessly and without offense or ceremony.  It means that you have a very strong awareness of your strengths and weaknesses but have a strong knowledge of a wide variety of subjects, regardless of others knowing more than you.

A person might be an excellent salesperson and good at making money, but not great at the administration of paperwork or tax planning.  The first step of dynamic subordination would mean that this person would delegate to an administrative assistant and an accountant or bookkeeper for the areas they are weaker in, but they would still understand a good deal about those subjects and how to assist; whether that is by keeping all paperwork in order until it is given to the assistant or keeping all receipts and expenditure records until they can be sent to the accountant.

An advertiser might know how to create ads on television and radio but know on the internet and social media, so they delegate to an online and social media expert.  They retain the knowledge of what makes a good ad, but they require assistance with how to create them in the context of the internet and different social media channels.

Add the Important Component

In both cases, there is an element that needs to be added to make it truly dynamic and where the technique really shines.  It is the responsibility that is given to others to make decisions and complete tasks.  Rather than have them check-in, leaders empower their subordinates to make decisions that they think are correct; AND the leader does not interfere if the decision is substantially correct, even if the leader knows a little bit better. 

This trains people to make decisions and follow through on them.  It also gives them ownership of the issue and causes them to answer to themselves rather than go their leader for more decisions.  This increases the likelihood of the task being completed as the decision maker understands the reasons why they are doing the task.

This does not mean that the leader delegates and forgets the task, however.  It means that they have seamlessly and confidently subordinated themselves to the person “who knows what to do next.”  There is no power struggle or ego involved, the completion of the task is the most important goal.

This is where the Navy SEALs excel, and if we implement this technique and Dynamically Subordinate ourselves when necessary like they do, our success rate will increase dramatically.