A communications officer with nearly three decades of experience in the United States Army, Michael Henry DOD technical director in Suffolk, Virginia, between 2007 and 2023. During his time in this position, he managed a wide range of projects aligned with many different government and industry partners. He specialized in redressing issues of global communications. As the Department of Defence technical director, Michael Henry supported the United States Special Operations Command with the use of emerging technologies designed to improve combat operations. He excelled in areas of crisis management and systems data integration.
In 2018, Mr. Henry joined Industrial Communications Group, LLC, as chief executive officer. His leadership role at the company allows him to provide the joint special operations forces community with proven data, voice, and video solutions.
Michael Henry studied economics at the University of California, Davis. He then earned his Master of Business Administration from Embry Riddle University. He also earned multiple combat decorations during his military career.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Day begins with reading Bible, exercise, a meal, updated to-do task list, phone calls and emails (4 hours only to ensure productivity), midafternoon exercise/soccer/family dinner engagements. I always leave margins to manage unexpected high priority no planned issues.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I gather insights from various sources, including market trends, customer feedback, and team brainstorming sessions. Once an idea is solidified, I focus on securing buy-in from key stakeholders. This involves clear and compelling communication of the idea’s potential value and addressing any concerns or objections. Execution is the next critical step, where I ensure that we have a detailed plan with defined roles, responsibilities, and timelines. Continuous monitoring and flexibility are essential, allowing us to adapt and refine our approach as needed to achieve the desired outcome.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The rapid increase of technology on the battlefield and the creative ideas of application to win our wars.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
A habit that significantly enhances my productivity is setting and pursuing daily and monthly tasks to achieve different types of goals simultaneously. Having the physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and educational goals aligned makes it successful. I believe in a balanced approach to goal setting. By defining objectives across various aspects of life, I ensure comprehensive personal and professional growth. This multifaceted goal setting keeps me motivated, helps me maintain a balanced life, and ensures that I am continually improving in all areas.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To leverage collective knowledge of others, lessons learned, and resources to drive both personal and business development and growth.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think that our greatest accomplishments come from helping others achieve their potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities. True success is not just about achieving personal goals but also about making a positive impact on others. God brings others into our lives for a purpose: to grow them.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Read the Bible first thing in morning and doing your daily workout before the day events overtake you. Make your physical workouts intense and with purpose to support your health and a fun sport.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I’m an eternal optimist, and it takes a lot to make me feel overwhelmed. To maintain a positive outlook and avoid feeling overwhelmed, I practice gratitude and positive thinking daily. By focusing on what I’m grateful for and acknowledging even the small successes, I keep a positive mindset. Additionally, I make it a point to surround myself with positive influences, whether it’s people, books, or activities.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has been instrumental in my career growth is networking relentlessly. I have maintained all my personal and professional relationships over the last 30 years. Relationships matter.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, 1991, I learned a hard lesson on rehearsals and testing. The operational concept failed and left a big dent in my confidence. However, I overcame this setback by taking a step back to analyze what went wrong and how I led the concept. I realized the importance of understanding strengths of your soldiers and detailed planning and rehearsing. It also reinforced the idea that failures are learning opportunities that can drive future success
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that significantly enhances my productivity is Google Calendar and Meets. I use Google to organize my tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with my team. The visual interface allows me to create boards for different projects, with each board containing lists of tasks that can be easily moved and tracked. This helps me maintain a clear overview of my progress and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks. Google’s flexibility and integration with other tools also streamline my workflow, making it easier to manage both short-term and long-term projects.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal is a book that has had a significant impact on me. It offers timeless advice on building relationships, effective communication, and leadership. The principles outlined in the book have helped me enhance my interpersonal skills, build stronger connections, and become a more empathetic and influential leader. The practical insights and real-life examples make it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their personal and professional interactions.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed the movie Maverick. The film’s themes of resilience, leadership, and pushing beyond limits resonated with me deeply. It showcases the importance of determination, strategic thinking, and teamwork in overcoming challenges and achieving success. The character development and storyline provide both entertainment and inspiration, making it a compelling watch for anyone looking to draw motivation from cinematic storytelling.
Key learnings
- Establishing a productive daily routine, including praying and exercise, is essential for maintaining focus and energy.
- Bringing ideas to life requires thorough research, effective communication, rehearsals, and strategic execution.
- Building strong relationships and networking are crucial for career and business growth.
- Learning from failures and adapting based on market needs are vital for long-term success.