Michael R. O’Donnell, Commercial Litigation partner and a U.S. Marine, was recently featured in NJBIZ’s special piece, “Veterans Who Lead.” The article showcases how New Jersey businesses are empowering veteran leaders within their organizations and communities. Riker Danzig is proud of the service of Mike, who is a leader not only in our Firm, but also in the community (currently serving as Vice-Chairperson of Zufall Community Health Centers, along with numerous other commitments through the years).
Read his Q&A with NJBIZ for this special section below.
What motivated you to join the military?
First, I was interested in serving my country. Second, the Marines gave me an ROTC scholarship that enabled me to go to Notre Dame. My family could not have afforded Notre Dame even in those days, and any college education would have stressed our family budget.
What role or position did you hold during your service?
I served five years active in the Marines as a ground supply officer and after school was stationed in California and Okinawa, Japan with two deployments from Okinawa to South Korea. After that, I was in the inactive reserves for ten years before I left those roles as a Major.
What were some of the most challenging, memorable, and rewarding aspects of your military experience?
First, the privilege of referring to myself as a United States Marine is enough reward. To this day, one of the proudest days of my life was when our drill instructor came into our squad bay and told us that we had made it through Officers’ Candidates School and would be Marines upon college graduation. Second, that feeling can only be eclipsed by having the privilege of leading Marines. All my experiences in the Marines fall into those two buckets, whether it was doing Cold Weather Mountain Warfare in the Sierra Madre Mountains or participating in War Games throughout the country of South Korea.
Did you have any mentors or role models in the military? What did you learn from them?
I had many. My most significant was my Commanding Officer at the Communication Squadron in California. He reinforced leadership by example, as I had already seen my whole life from my father and mother, and that there is nothing you cannot do with your Marines and there is nothing you can do without them. Also, that you had to know your business and work hard. That said, he often said to me, never forget that to a certain extent, “An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance.” By that, he was not downplaying performance but emphasizing that in doing your job, you have to make sure that you project your own competence as well as respect for those who work for you and those you report to by being responsive. As a lawyer, it is critical that you keep your clients informed, involved, and address their concerns, and not just litigate cases on your own and at your own speed.
How did your military service affect your perspective on life and your personal values?
The Marines drive home three priorities in this order: 1) The Mission, 2) Your Marines and 3) Yourself. As a lawyer, that principle holds true in business and law. Our clients are our mission and our goal has to be to give them the best representation possible. You cannot do that well if you do not take care of your people. As to yourself, if you do the first two well, you will be taken care of.
How does your military service experience contribute to your leadership style?
I try to instill leadership by example. I try to work as hard or harder than those who work with me and try to think of my people’s welfare before my own, hopefully with some success. I am also known as being blunt and getting to the point, which is emblematic of Marines, and can sometimes take people by surprise in the business world.
