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Be The First Man In
In elite military operations, there’s a role that carries more weight than most: the First Man In.
The LAB Performance
April 11, 2025 • Reading Time: 5 minutes
The best aren’t getting better on their own, they’re getting better because they are being coached.
In elite military operations, there’s a role that carries more weight than most: the First Man In.
They are the one who crosses the threshold first — into an unknown, high-risk, high-pressure environment. No certainty. No perfect conditions. Just mission clarity, brutal preparation, and deep trust in the team behind him. That role is never random. It’s earned.
And while your environment might not be a war zone, your team faces pressure, chaos, time-critical decisions, and high-stakes outcomes every day. Which is why this principle — the First Man In Method — deserves a place in your high-performance playbook.
🔬 What is the “First Man In” Method?
It’s more than leading from the front. It’s a strategic mindset and operational role that transforms the way a team shows up when it matters.
In a nutshell, the “First Man In”:
Steps forward when others hesitate.
Leads with decisive action under uncertainty.
Sets the tempo and tone for everyone that follows.
Owns the risk. Shares the outcome.
Turns chaos into clarity — not with words, but with movement.
🧠 The Psychology Behind It
At its core, the method is about performance in uncertainty:
Initiation: Action precedes clarity. Leaders don’t wait — they move.
Responsibility: One leads so others can follow with confidence.
Tempo Control: Whoever steps in first sets the energy, rhythm, and intent.
Psychological Safety: When a leader acts boldly, others feel safe to contribute.
🧩 Why It Matters to High-Performance Teams
Here’s what happens when you embed this mindset:
✅ Faster execution — teams act, not wait
✅ Stronger leadership — rooted in behaviour, not title
✅ Deeper trust — earned through shared risk
✅ Greater resilience — when things go wrong, no one hides
✅ Team cohesion — everyone knows their moment to step
🔧 How to Implement This in Your Team
Next, build First-In drills into your team rhythm. Whether in training, meetings, or creative sessions, assign individuals to lead off. Use time-pressured simulations where someone must take the first step — make the decision, lead the conversation, or call the play. These reps build comfort with discomfort and sharpen readiness under pressure.
Teach your leaders to read and set tempo. The “First Man In” controls the emotional and operational pace of a situation. Help your team understand how to manage energy, urgency, and tone — not just what needs to happen, but how fast, how hard, and how clearly it needs to happen. Tempo awareness is a superpower in dynamic environments.
Importantly, model it from the front. Whether you’re the head coach, team lead, or exec, your actions speak loudest. Be the first to speak when it’s uncomfortable. The first to own a mistake. The first to act when uncertainty creeps in. The team is always watching, and leadership is contagious.
Finally, make time to debrief the moment. After key events — a project launch, a team meeting, a match — reflect on who went first. What tone did they set? How did their action affect the group? What permission did it give others to step up or contribute? Over time, this builds a team culture where courageous initiation becomes the norm, not the exception.
True leadership isn’t about authority — it’s about the willingness to go first.
The “First Man In” sets the tone, carries the risk, and creates clarity for others to follow. When one person leads with courage, it unlocks confidence across the team. It’s not just about who leads, but how they lead — especially under pressure. Build a culture where stepping forward is expected, supported, and celebrated. Because when you go first, you give others permission to rise.
Coaches Notes:
Lead with Decisive Action Under Uncertainty:
True leadership is not about waiting for perfect conditions. The First Man In steps forward when others hesitate, demonstrating that action precedes clarity. Leaders must embrace uncertainty and make decisions, even when outcomes are not guaranteed.Set the Tempo and Tone for the Team:
The First Man In controls the rhythm of the situation. Their actions set the energy, urgency, and intent for the team to follow. Effective leaders must manage not just the what, but the how — the pace at which things need to happen, especially in high-pressure environments.Build Trust Through Shared Risk:
Leadership isn’t about authority but about ownership and shared responsibility. The First Man In takes on risk, showing others that they are in it together. This builds deeper trust and creates a culture of resilience, where no one hides when challenges arise.Model Courage and Psychological Safety:
Leaders must be the first to take action, admit mistakes, and set a positive tone. By stepping forward and showing vulnerability, they create psychological safety, allowing others to contribute without fear of judgment. Leaders who go first encourage their team to follow suit.Embed “First In” Drills to Foster Readiness:
Implementing drills where team members are encouraged to take the first step — whether in meetings, training, or decision-making — cultivates comfort with discomfort. Over time, this helps the team build confidence, increase resilience, and develop a proactive, high-performance culture.