How to Build an Auftragstaktik Business Team

The term “Auftragstaktik,” German for “mission command,” emphasises decentralised command, individual initiative, and flexibility. Adopted by the Prussian Army in 1806 and the United States Marine Corps in the 1980s, the principles behind Auftragstaktik have now been translated to the business world. Let’s explore how these principles can be used to create an agile and responsive business team.

A Brief History of Auftragstaktik in Military Context

The Prussian Model

Generals Gerhard von Scharnhorst, Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, and Karl von Clausewitz championed Auftragstaktik in the 19th century. This strategy empowered junior officers to make decisions on the spot, allowing for quick adaptation to changing battlefield conditions. The Prussian victory in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) is often attributed to this approach.

USMC Adoption

The US Marine Corps embraced Auftragstaktik during the development of Maneuver Warfare in the latter half of the 20th century. Recognising the importance of adaptability, initiative, and decentralisation of decisions-making, the USMC has effectively implemented these principles in complex military operations.

Key Principles and Their Application in Business

1. Decentralised Command

Military Context: Leaders provide objectives and resources, allowing subordinates to devise their own approaches.

Business Application: Similar to software development, businesses define overall goals and essential parameters, then trust teams and their members to decide the best way to achieve the objectives.

Example: Spotify’s “squads” system encourages teams to find innovative ways to meet company goals, fostering creativity and ownership.

2. Individual Initiative

Military Context: Lower-ranking officers and soldiers take the initiative to adapt to changes.

Business Application: Team members are empowered to make decisions and act independently.

Example: 3M’s policy allowing employees to work on personal projects – originating 1948 – has spurred innovations such as the Post-it Note.

3. Flexibility and Adaptation

Military Context: Adaptation to unexpected changes is vital on the battlefield.

Business Application: Successful businesses must pivot and adapt to new market conditions, requirements, or technologies.

Example: Netflix’s transformation from DVD rentals to streaming shows its ability to adapt swiftly to industry changes.

4. Clear Communication and Understanding

Military Context: Communicating the commander’s intent is crucial.

Business Application: Clear communication of intent, goals, and constraints ensures alignment and collaboration within teams.

Example: Zappos implements a “Holacracy” system, clarifying roles and responsibilities.

5. Trust and Collaboration

Military Context: Trust between commanders and subordinates is key.

Business Application: Trust between management and teams enables collaboration and innovation.

Example: Southwest Airlines fosters trust, leading to high employee satisfaction and customer loyalty.

Conclusion

Building an Auftragstaktik team in business requires adopting principles such as decentralized command, individual initiative, flexibility, clear communication, and trust. These principles can help business teams become more responsive, innovative, and resilient.

Real-world examples from companies like Spotify, 3M, Netflix, Zappos, and Southwest Airlines showcase how the lessons learned from the Prussian and USMC military’s adoption of Auftragstaktik can create effective business teams. This approach offers a valuable roadmap for today’s dynamic business landscape, equipping teams with the agility at scale to navigate the complexities of modern markets.