8 Lessons in Military Leadership for Entrepreneurs. Robert T. Kiyosaki

his country. It took a lot of emotional intelligence to bite my tongue every time he laughed and bragged about how he used his “student deferment” to avoid the draft and climb the corporate ladder while others were fighting and risking their lives in Vietnam.

      In downtown Honolulu, the words used amongst “civilians” and the “corporate warriors” reflected a lack of emotional intelligence. When many of the corporate-class speak their words consistently reflect one emotion: fear. They repeatedly speak of “job security,” worry about “being fired,” obsess over “needing my paycheck” and “climbing the corporate ladder.” I suspect they continue to ask themselves, “Can I afford to retire?”

      In the corporate world, I was shocked to hear people repeatedly saying, “I can’t.” And “I might.” They used words like “I’ll try” and “I might” or “I hope”. Those words are forbidden in the Marine Corps.

      For those of you who have read my other books, you already know my rich dad would not allow his son and me to use those words. He often said, “Poor people say ‘I can’t afford’ it more than rich people. Rich people ask, “How can I afford it?”

      In the military, there are service personnel who speak the same fear-based words. They are called lifers, and they are seldom leaders. They are in the military to put in their “20” and retire.

      In the military, the words leaders speak are spiritual words, coming from the heart and originating in their souls. Military education begins by teaching everyone to speak spiritual words, words like mission, courage, duty, honor, service, and code.

      People who speak words that come from their souls inspire their spirit and become great warriors, entrepreneurs, and leaders in all walks of life.

       Your Country Needs You

      This book is written to speak to the warrior spirit in you. Once again, you are called on to serve your country, but this time not as a soldier but as an entrepreneur, a leader in the world of business.

      I realize that many Americans despise the military. They have that right, guaranteed by our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The right to speak freely is one the freedoms men and women in the military protect.

      The U.S. military does not fight for the Republicans or the Democrats, for liberals or conservatives. The military serves and is willing to fight to protect the principles and freedoms of this great nation.

       Freedom Is a Big Word

      Freedom is a very, very big word. Most people have no idea how huge that word really is. There is freedom of religion and freedom of speech… and the U.S. military defends those freedoms.

      In other countries, military forces fought to prevent the freedom of religion. We’ve seen religious freedom as the catalyst for unrest in all parts of the world, from the Middle East to Northern Ireland.

      American service men and women fight for the freedom to worship or not worship, the right to believe in god or not believe in god, and the right to marry or not marry someone of a different religion. In my opinion, this is a freedom, a human right, worth fighting for.

       Political Freedom

      In Communist countries, there is only one official political party. Their military fights to defend the one-party system. In some countries, if you start your own political party, you will be locked away forever, or murdered by the military.

      The American military will fight to defend our right to form political parties and to vote or not vote. In my opinion, that is another freedom, another right, worth fighting for.

      As General William Westmoreland said:

       “The military don’t start wars. Politicians start wars.”

       Freedom of Speech

      In China, stand up comedians must submit their jokes to the government for approval before they can use them to make people laugh. In many countries, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart would not be allowed on the air.

      In 1973, I landed at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California. My troops and I had just returned from our tour in Vietnam.

      Outside the gates of the base were anti-war protestors. I could sense the fear and anger in the eyes of my men. One said, “Why do we fight for these people?”

      Before allowing the Marines to face the abuse, to run the gauntlet, I asked the Marines to line up for my farewell address. “We did not fight for ‘these people,’” I said, “we fight all people.” “We fight for the freedom for all people to say what they want to say, even if you and I do not like what they say.” That is the essence of freedom.

      Pausing for a moment, allowing what I had just said to sink in, I then asked, “Do you understand what we fight for? Do you understand what many of our friends died for? Do you understand we fight for freedom and rights of all people, not for select groups of people.”

      After a quiet “Yes, sir,” I thanked the young Marines for their service and that I was proud to have served with them. In silence, they shouldered their bags, turned, and walked through the protestors, with their heads held high, their backs straight, their eyes focused… saying nothing as spit, eggs, and verbal abuse were hurled at them.

       Financial Freedom

      When people see the chart on the next page, the one you saw at the start of this chapter, many become upset.

      A few people say, “How can the government allow companies to do this?”

      Again, the answer is: This is a right, a freedom, granted by our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is a freedom the U.S. military defends and protects. A business can hire or fire anyone in any country. In layman’s terms, it’s called free enterprise. In some circles, free enterprise is known as capitalism… a ‘dirty word’ to some. I suspect many of the same people who detest the U.S. military also detest the word capitalism. That may be because capitalism is not possible without a strong military. Without a strong military, our economy would be run by war lords, similar to those factions that run countries where the military is weak or corrupt.

      The idea of free enterprise began in 1700 in America, and it led to the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Americans were sick and tired of England’s monarchy telling them how to do business and taxing them without representation in government.

      The concept of free enterprise is the foundation for the American Dream. Many immigrants came to America from countries where your socio-economic status was determined by birth. If you were born into royalty, you were forever royalty; if you were born a peasant, you died a peasant.

      The American Dream meant a person could come to America and, possibly, become American ‘royalty.’ Many people have achieved that dream and the U.S. military protects the right to that opportunity.

      Capitalism is an economic system that allows businesses to be privately owned. This system aims for limited restrictions on trade and minimal government intervention. This means that a privately owned business can do business and hire (or fire) employees anywhere in the world. It shouldn’t be surprising that labor unions and most employees do not agree with this freedom or right.

      It is for these freedoms and rights the American military fights for and defends. In America, you are free to be a capitalist, a communist, or socialist… rich, poor, or middle class… Christian, Muslim, Jew, or atheist. It is for these freedoms we in the U.S. military are willing to give our lives.

       Why I Wrote This Book

      This book is written to ask for your service once again. America needs your help.

      The following poem best summarizes my reason for writing this book:

      It is the Soldier, not the minister

      Who