This study examines the adoption and impact of military-style leadership practices in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in India. Drawing on a survey of 320 MSME owners and managers across manufacturing, services, and technology sectors, the research investigates how hierarchical command structures, disciplined operational protocols, and mission-oriented goal-setting—characteristic of military leadership—influence business growth metrics. The findings reveal a nuanced picture: while military-style leadership correlates positively with operational efficiency and crisis response capability, it shows a negative association with employee innovation and long-term adaptability in knowledge-intensive sectors. The paper contributes to leadership theory by contextualizing military leadership frameworks within the unique cultural and economic landscape of Indian MSMEs, offering a contingent leadership model that suggests hybrid approaches for sustainable growth.

• H0Military-style leadership practices have no statistically significant impact on the growth metrics of Indian MSMEs.
• H1Military-style leadership correlates positively with operational efficiency and crisis response capability in Indian MSMEs.
• H2Military-style leadership is negatively associated with employee innovation and long-term adaptability in knowledge-intensive MSME sectors.
• H3The effectiveness of military-style leadership varies significantly across manufacturing, services, and technology sectors within the Indian MSME landscape.

1. 01Introduction
2. 02Theoretical Framework
3. 03Military Leadership: Principles & Transferability
4. 04Indian MSME Landscape
5. 05Research Methodology
6. 06Data Analysis & Findings
7. 07Discussion
8. 08Implications for Practice
9. 09Limitations & Future Research