The Memo reveals how to succeed in business using the covert WWII strategy that ultimately led to the Allied victory.
Much is known about how the atomic bomb helped the United States achieve final victory in World War II. However, little is known about a weapon that was, perhaps, even more powerful—a memo. Classified as “Restricted” by the U.S. War Department, “The Memo” contained a management doctrine under the subject of “Completed Staff Work." This memo turned military command structure on its head and focused on the power of staff instead of their commanders. Simply put, instead of relying on senior leaders to think up solutions and then order staff officers to implement them, aides would be charged with presenting fully developed solutions, which command could approve.
Now declassified, The Memo holds valuable lessons that will help anyone advance in his or her career. The Memo emphasizes leadership and followership, and shows aspiring employees how to advance by employing the power of teamwork to make their leaders successful.
Read the full book, "The Memo: How the Classified Military Document That Helped the U.S. Win WWII Can Help You Succeed in Business."
Jack Yoest advises senior leaders on best management practices and provides completed staff work training to industry leaders. He is a former captain in the United States Army and earned an M.B.A. from George Mason University. He completed graduate work in the International Operations Management Program at Oxford University.
Yoest served as assistant secretary for health and human resources in Virginia, acting as the chief operating officer and chief technology officer of the $5 billion budget 16,000-employee unit. Yoest also served with Menlo Care, a start-up medical device manufacturer. He was a part of the team that moved sales from zero to over $12 million that resulted in a buyout by Johnson & Johnson.