In facility management, leadership is often measured by operational success —keeping buildings running, managing emergencies, and guiding teams through constant change. But as Marine Corps veteran Ryan McCool shares in this video from NFMT Baltimore, real leadership isn't about personal success — it's about selfless service to your people.

McCool walks through five foundational lessons from Officer Candidate School that directly apply to facility managers:

Humility: Shaving recruits’ heads and stressing "you're not special" builds leaders who put team over ego.

Attention to Detail: In critical environments — whether in combat or building operations — the small things are not small.

Leading by Example: Team members watch how leaders respond to stress, setbacks, and daily operations.

Bias for Action: Perfect information is rare; decisive action builds momentum and trust.

Adaptability: Leaders must pivot when unexpected challenges arise — whether facing a surprise obstacle in the field or a sudden building emergency.

But the lessons don't stop at military parallels. McCool ties these principles to civilian leadership and facility management. Whether it's how a leader reacts when an admin volunteers to fetch water, or how feedback is delivered to struggling employees, every small action either builds or destroys trust.

Watch the full session to learn how to become the kind of leader your team will want to follow — into any challenge. Log in or join fnPrime to see the video.