Seven Core Values from the Marine Corps for Creatives
By Mike Tate
Recently I had a friend who is a former Marine. He suggested to me that I was sitting on a million dollar business. He asked to partner with me to get there. I began to look at the values and disciples of a Marine and found them to be quiet opposite the true creative. Are you ready for your creative life to be disrupted? If you are looking to succeed in your creative space these values might be what launches you. Tate
1. Rapid Decision Making
In the Marine Corps you are taught to make “sound & timely” decisions; with an extra added emphasis on being “timely”. Traditionally they are taught to methodically analyze decisions; weighing the pros & cons & minimizing risks before they make a decision.
Tate: I believe that rapid decisions in our creative process causes us to be more fluid, intuitive and less vulnerable to a creative block.
2. Decentralized Decision Making
In addition to making rapid decisions the Marine Corps members are taught the importance of pushing decision making down to the absolute levels of authority; the closer to the front line you can allow decisions to be made the more efficient & effective the organization will be.
Tate: just make up your mind and move forward, mental and creative stalls can be a time waster and costly... make the decision to move forewarn, you don’t need anyone’s permission.
3. Staying Calm Within a Crisis
Leaders are made & broken during a crisis. When things get hot & heavy they have to learn how to compartmentalize our feelings and remain calm at all times. In the Marine Corps it is a cardinal sin to “lose your bearing” when the stress level gets high.
Tate: being creative during a personal or business crisis. Have you ever been there? I prepared for a popular art festival. One thing I forgot to do is register for the event. I called, the event was full, I went anyway. No back outs, I stayed calm with my relationship to the show promoter (I have seen many artists loose their temper). All artist were nearly set up and the promoter said “since you drove along way and have been very kind and patient I will set you right here next to the wine tasting booth where all the traffic goes. As I set up the owner of the winery bought most of my art before the show even started. Stay calm in crisis!
4. It’s Never About You
As an officer’s in the Corps they were always reminded that it’s never about senior leadership; everything we do was to take care of & support that 18 year old trigger-puller on the front line. As officers we were taught to always eat last; if one of your Marines forgets a critical piece of gear it was you that goes without.
Tate: the art culture has its flaws, one major flaw is ego or the “prima donna” or defined a very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance. I have no time for the prima! Humility takes you far places when practiced in your creativity. Our artwork heals people, brings joy, heals a city fragmented and so much more. #dontbeaprima
5. Improvise, Adapt, & Overcome
The Marine Corps always seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to budget & procurement. Traditionally there has been a systemic lack of resources for the Corps; primarily because they are the smallest branch and they have to compete for funding with the Department of the Navy. However, this spartan reality allows them to see some rather unique & ingenious ways on getting what they need.
Tate: Improvise, adapt and overcome that white canvas, that empty cord chart, that lisp of clay or block of rock. I was over selective about my choice of brushes to use. Now I grab what is convenient and move on. Stiff poorly washed out brushes from the night before become my favorite Bristol brushes.
6. Endurance & Tenacity
It doesn’t take long to find numerous examples of Marines enduring monumental & seemingly impossible circumstances. From battles like Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, & Fallujah, and individuals like John Basilone, Chesty Puller, & Smedley Butler there is never a shortage of amazing acts of heroism & tenacity. By emphasizing the past we came to measure any current perspective & situation against a revered historical backdrop that could gave one motivation to press on & persevere.
Tate: endurance is a huge character for a creative person. Listen to the definition, the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. Michelangelo said every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it. The true work of artis but a shadow of the divine perfection. If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all. I saw the angelin the marble and carved until I set him free. Here is endurance personified. The tougher the work the higher the value upon completion.
7. Fear & Uncertainty Is the Norm
The Marine Corps current war fighting methodology of “Maneuver Warfare” is based on shock, speed, disruption, & organized chaos. Marines understand that you can never completely eliminate fear & uncertainty in any situation. In fact fear & uncertainty can be a blessing; because most people & organizations spend an inordinate amount of resources on trying to make things safe & predictable.
Tate: I love this, go to your easel, piano, clay block of stone or empty chord chart and create by shock, speed, disruption (we creatives are disruptive) and organized chaos. Break the fricken rules, throw caution to the wind, lose your mind and create unintimidated. Blank canvases always communicate a certain amount of uncertainty. Have you ever finished a long night of creating to wake up in the morning and wonder, who did that? Painting or creating in an environment of uncertainty reads the normal in you and releases the intuitive you. This is a must, fear and uncertainty must be the norm...
8. It’s All About Love
Leadership is an affair of the heart. The Marine Corps was one of the most “loving” organizations I’ve ever been associated with. It’s not the “feeling” of love rather it’s the “agape” love that demands sacrifice. It’s laying down your life, putting your needs above others, so that they can prosper and survive. This is the foundation of any significant and sustainable leadership and allows cultures to thrive and survive in the most arduous and challenging circumstances.
Tate: create out of love, love of your passion, love of your ever increasing ability, love for your onlookers, your collectors, and even your critics. A competing jewelry maker visited my booth in the art festival as I was setting up. He view my newly created creations and said “very shoddy”, I looked up and politely said “ thank you sir, I was trying to find a classy name for my jewelry so I will call it “Shoddy Jewelry by Tate”. At the end of the art festival I sold out, he sold nothing. Lol fricken yes! Hahahahahaha. Create from love, for love, by love.
Peace Out!
Tate
Tate Sports Art
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