4 Universal Tenets of Marine Corps Problem-Solving: Why #4 Is the Most Important Yet Least Celebrated in the Business World?

The Marine Corps instills a leadership philosophy rooted in decisiveness, adaptability, and integrity. These principles, forged in the high-stakes world of military operations, have profound relevance in business and life.

The Four Tenets of Marine Corps Leadership:

1. EMBRACE THE 70% SOLUTION: If there’s 70% confidence, Marines make those choices…now. “Between a good decision now and a great decision later, you choose the good decision now,”.

2. DON’T LEGISLATE THE “HOW”: There’s no manual for advisers in a hostile environment. “A large part of our job is just figuring out what our job is,” So they follow “the commander’s intent”. Commanders say what results should look like and leave the rest up to Marines.

3. FALL IN LOVE WITH FLEXIBILITY: “Don’t fall in love with the plan”, Marines are taught that “no plan ever survives first contact.”

4. BE A “GOOD M*****F*****R”: It’s Marine shorthand for being a good person. Do you place your mission first? Do you take care of your people? Do you go the extra yard? Do you give a damn? “Your reputation is out there, I’ll ask a guy I know, “Is this guy a good m*****f****r?” If he is, then he’s in the good m*****f****r club. And if he’s not, f**k him.”

Why This Matters

From a young age, my mother instilled in me that there were three things she couldn’t stand: liars, cheaters, and thieves. She never called it "high character", it was just expected and understood. Fast-forward to 1998, and four years after high school, I found myself in the Marine Corps.

Like many, I didn’t enlist with a grand plan. I had demonstrated an elite-level ability to consume adult beverages, dominate bar trivia, and fail college classes. But the Marine Corps reshaped my perspective. It demanded discipline, respect, and above all, integrity. The expectation was simple yet profound:

Marines never lie, never cheat, never steal.

Those weren’t just words; they were the foundation of everything. Marines hold themselves and each other accountable. It’s about honor, courage, and commitment. And years later, I’ve realized this principle applies far beyond the military.

The GOOD M*****F*****R’s Club (The GMC): A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships

For years, I joked about starting a GMC, a group built on integrity, honesty, and accountability. A place where we celebrate wins, own losses, and lift each other up. Success isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about bringing others along.

Recently, on a fishing trip with some of the best and most honorable men I know, this very concept came up. That’s when I learned that across the industry, something similar already existed, the Honest Brokers Club (HBC). A group of 40+ individuals from 30+ companies (mostly small-businesses or mid-sized), committed to transparency, ethics, and collaboration. And, as fate would have it, I was just a few rants away from an invite, and one of the founding members (let’s call him “Silverback”) was in the room with a bourbon and a smirk. Let’s see who reads this and who asks about the HBC.

The timing was perfect. A member of the fishing-foursome recently shared a blog post titled “The Reputational Cue Ball”, a reflection on integrity, especially in these uncertain times. It made me think:

What does integrity look like today?
How do we maintain it in both personal and professional spaces?

The answer? By living it. By making honor, honesty, transparency, and collaboration the non-negotiables in our relationships.

The Power of Integrity: Why It Matters More Than Ever

In a world obsessed with ambition and competition, true success is rooted in character. These values aren’t just lofty ideals, they are the foundation of trust, respect, and lasting impact.

• Honor & High Character: Trust is the currency of influence. People gravitate toward those with integrity. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about owning your actions and holding yourself to a higher standard.

• Honesty: The cornerstone of credibility. When you tell the truth, especially when it’s hard, you earn respect that money can’t buy.

• Transparency: The bridge to authenticity. Open, honest communication fosters trust, loyalty, and stronger relationships.

• Collaboration: No one wins alone. The best leaders create opportunities for others, embrace different perspectives, and lift people up.

Winning the Right Way

In today’s unpredictable world, character matters more than ever. Businesses that prioritize integrity outlast those that chase short-term gains. Leaders who operate with honor inspire real loyalty. Success without character is fleeting, but success built on integrity leaves a legacy.

Be honorable. Be honest. Be transparent. Be collaborative.

Because in the end, how you win matters just as much as winning itself. And trust me, everyone will eventually know how you did it.