Jack Bauer’s Guide to Leadership: 10 Lessons for Leadership "24"

I am a confessed “24 Fanatic”. Given the choice between going out on the town and seeing Chloe’s personality disorder, I’m sticking with Chloe and CTU.

As 24 seasons have unfolded, I’ve thought more than once about the lessons 24 holds for today’s business leaders running their own CTU. (Competitive Tactical Units).

I wish every company had a Jack Bauer they could call on to get the job done and run field operations!

#1: Successful missions start with good information. Jack never goes into a mission blind. CTU analysts send him the latest satellite updates and information so he knows exactly what he’s getting himself into and can develop his entry strategy. I wish his sales team had that information before talking to a potential customer.

#2: Field operations need communication and command support. Jack is never alone. He is backed by a team that provides constant tactical support. Does operations support his team in the field?

#3: To get things done, you need a direct line to the president. On more than one occasion, Jack had to call in the big guy to remove a roadblock and you will too when the going gets tough. Do you have quick access to your president when and if he needs it?

#4: People with Personality Disorders are sometimes the most talented—Put up with. Your business may depend on having the best person for the job. Chloe and Edgar won’t win you over with their communication skills, but that’s not what they’re there for, they’re the best at what they do.

#5: Every organization needs protocols–Rules of the road on what to do in worst case scenarios and when to call Division. How familiar is your team with the rules that the playbook provides for problem solving?

#6: Good leadership involves a calm, unemotional response to a crisis. We saw it in President Palmer, but in later episodes when Air Force One crashed, I didn’t feel very safe with President Keeler at the helm. You saw? Remember that when we are angry or emotional, our IQ drops 50%. Good decisions never happen at 50% brainpower.

#7: Beware of traitors in your own team. They are doing the most damage to their operations. Do you have Nina or Ms. Palmer from your team sabotaging your mission? Sometimes covert and sometimes not, these ‘internal terrorists’ are diverting your resources and attention, and are most likely at the root of your unit’s negativity and team morale problems. Extract them. It’s not okay to be a traitor.

#8: Sometimes the leaders just never get a life! Poor Jack. Hero yes, but we never see this guy eat let alone have any kind of life. Even heroes are human. Just once, wouldn’t you love to see Jack at home with nothing to do, no shoes, eating popcorn and watching TV? It will never happen, but make sure it happens to you.

#9: Know the enemy: be they terrorists or competitors. They have plans, technology, and don’t follow rules, which makes them extremely dangerous.

#10: A good agent like Jack Bauer is a multi-skilled problem solver.. He or she is loyal, confident, calm in crisis, and knows the protocols. A good agent like Jack Bauer gets dirty and sometimes breaks the rules to get the job done, but he is always guided by core values ​​and a commitment to do what’s best for the country!

So maybe you have more in common with Jack Bauer than you thought? In which case, take 24 hours just for you and your family. Your Country, Your Organization needs you well rested for the next mission.