Who Drives Success in Business: The Foot Soldiers or the Managers?

Weekends are a time for unwinding, and for me, if I’m not catching up with friends, I make it a point to watch a movie. This time, I revisited an old classic—one of those translated action films narrated by my favorite VJ, VJ Jingo.

The movie’s plot got me thinking about an important question in business: Who is more crucial—the foot soldiers (those who execute ideas) or the managers (those who strategize and oversee operations)?

In the movie, a war commander was recalled due to mistakes that had cost his battalion dearly. A young, theory-driven leader replaced him, full of academic knowledge but lacking hands-on experience. Once on the battlefield, he dismissed the soldiers’ advice, relying instead on textbook strategies. When they requested reinforcements, he refused, citing theoretical reasons. As a result, the camp was attacked six times before he was finally removed, and the former commander was reinstated.

Lessons for Business

This scenario mirrors what happens in many businesses. A company needs both strategic leadership and effective execution, but balance is key. Here are three takeaways:

1. Theory vs. Practical Knowledge: Strategy is essential, but it must align with real-world dynamics. Just like the young commander relied too much on books, some business leaders fail when they ignore on-the-ground realities.
2. Listening to the Frontline: Employees who implement strategies—your sales reps, customer service teams, and operations staff—have firsthand experience. Ignoring their insights can lead to failure.
3. Leadership is About Adaptability: A great manager must be willing to adjust plans based on real-time feedback, just like a successful battlefield commander who adapts to shifting conditions.

Recognizing the Foot Soldiers of Business

This coming month, let’s commit to listening to the foot soldiers of our businesses—the people who make things happen on the ground. At RentMyMBA, we want to recognize and celebrate these individuals who contribute tirelessly to business success. Stay tuned for more on how we will highlight their impact!

What do you think? Have you seen businesses struggle because of poor leadership or because of weak execution on the ground?