Leadership lessons from the military

Many remodelers served in the military before going into construction, and they say that experience has helped make them successful in business.

"I rely on my military experience a lot," says Zett Quinn, president of Quality Craftsmen in Marietta, Ga.

Quinn, who served 10 years in the U.S. Army Reserves as an engineer and ordinance officer, attributes his service with teaching him how to lead by example, a skill he now uses when managing teams of up to 50 employees and trade contractors on projects.

Setting an example to the people he leads is a key part of being a leader both in and out of the military, says Marc Chavaree, a remodeling consultant with Case Handyman and Remodeling in Charlotte, N.C., and a six-year veteran of the Navy.

"People see a leader who is trustworthy, and they aspire to that," says Chavaree.

One of the most useful things Matt Hoots learned during his time in the Marine Corps is the importance of getting a job done right, a lesson he applies everyday at The Hoots Group in Atlanta.

"In the Marine Corps, it's all about mission accomplishment and troop welfare," Hoots says. "Our staff knows that they're allowed to build correctly, and I'll stand by them. They also know if they try and take any shortcuts, we're going to call them on it."