It’s no secret that part of the success of the Roman Empire was its incredible military strength and strategic brilliance. Julius Caesar’s tendency to showcase his military prowess stemmed from his tremendous confidence in his army. Most of us are familiar with his famous words, “I came, I saw, I conquered,” a phrase that encapsulates both his swiftness in action and trust in his soldiers.

But what made the Roman military so powerful? One thing was clear to the Romans: the true strength of their army lay not only in individual bravery, but in its compactness, coordination, and the shared destiny of the legionaries. This idea was epitomized by one of the most iconic military formations in Roman history—the Testudo (Latin for “tortoise”).

As Wikipedia notes: “The Roman testudo was a characteristic infantry formation of the Roman army. A deployment of great complexity, it required significant collective coordination.” The brilliance of this formation lay in its interdependence. Each soldier knew exactly what role they had to play—not just for their own survival, but for the success of the entire unit. They had clear, unified objectives:

  • March in the proper way
  • Stick to the designated position
  • Assault the enemy at the right moment
  • Survive

Any deviation from these tasks would likely lead to failure, not just for one individual, but for the entire formation. A soldier who lost his position left his comrades exposed, breaking the strength of the formation and compromising the entire battle.

Testudo and business: how they share common traits

The testudo formation can be seen as a powerful metaphor for the modern business world, especially in large companies where multiple business units must work together towards common objectives. In the same way that Roman soldiers had to move in unison, businesses thrive when their different departments or teams are aligned and working toward shared goals.

Much like the testudo, businesses rely on:

  1. Coordination: Each business unit has a specific role and responsibility, much like individual soldiers within the formation. For a company to operate efficiently, every department—be it marketing, sales, operations, or IT—needs to understand how their actions affect the others.
  2. Shared Goals: Just as the Roman legionaries had to survive and win as a collective, different departments must share common business goals. Whether it’s revenue growth, market expansion, or customer satisfaction, these objectives need to be clear and agreed upon by all units.
  3. Mutual Dependency: In the testudo, each soldier’s shield protected not only themselves but the person next to them. In business, the success of one department often hinges on the success of another. Marketing campaigns depend on the product team’s innovation. Sales rely on operations to deliver the goods, and so on. If one unit falters, it risks affecting the entire organization.
  4. Timing and Execution: The Roman soldiers had to know precisely when to strike. In business, coordination is also about timing—launching new products, entering new markets, or executing strategic initiatives at the right moment. A well-timed campaign can lead to success, but if one part of the business moves too slowly or too fast, it can derail the entire plan.

The Danger of Misalignment

Just as a single soldier breaking formation could lead to disaster for the entire testudo, a single misaligned business unit can significantly harm an organization. When teams work in silos, chasing their own objectives or miscommunicating with other departments, the entire structure becomes vulnerable. Without alignment, businesses can experience inefficiencies, duplicated efforts, missed opportunities, and even internal conflict.

For instance, a sales team might push a product without checking with the development team about its readiness, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Or, the marketing team might launch a campaign targeting a new audience without consulting operations, resulting in logistical challenges. These missteps not only create internal friction but can also damage the company’s external reputation.

Building a Testudo in Business

To create a modern-day testudo in your organization, consider these strategies:

  1. Clear Communication: Just as Roman soldiers needed to know their exact position, business units must have a clear understanding of their roles and how they fit into the larger picture. Regular communication and cross-department meetings can ensure everyone is on the same page.
  2. Unified Objectives: Align all departments around the same set of business objectives. Ensure that each team knows how their specific goals contribute to the overall success of the company.
  3. Collaborative Culture: Foster a culture where departments don’t work in isolation but in collaboration, just as each soldier in the testudo relied on their neighbor’s shield. Encourage teamwork and inter-departmental projects that highlight the importance of working together.
  4. Adaptability and Trust: While the testudo was rigid in its execution, businesses must remain flexible in their strategies. However, trust between teams is crucial—just as Roman soldiers trusted one another with their lives, business units must have confidence in each other to achieve the collective goal.

The Roman testudo is not just a symbol of military brilliance but also a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from unity and alignment. In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, companies that can mirror this level of coordination and shared purpose will be the ones that succeed. Much like the Roman soldiers who knew their survival depended on each other, modern businesses thrive when their units work together, united under the same shield of shared objectives.