Some bonds are forged in fire.
For Lynn Scheinman, the kind of trust you earn in the middle of chaos—whether in a combat zone or a high-pressure business meeting—comes from knowing the person beside you will do what it takes to see the mission through.
A Decade in Uniform
Lynn’s first career wasn’t in tech—it was in the U.S. Army Special Forces, where he served for 10 years. Life in the military taught him to thrive on minimal sleep, navigate discomfort as a constant, and—most importantly—lead with clarity when the world around him was in disorder.
In combat, there were long stretches of boredom, broken up by moments of absolute chaos. It was in those moments—when survival depended on instinct and teamwork—that he learned the deep, unspoken bonds between soldiers.
“You know each other’s strengths, moods, and limits. You step in when needed without being asked. That’s what trust looks like when lives depend on it.”
The Transition to Civilian Life
Leaving the military often means leaving behind a part of yourself. But for Lynn, the change was softened by his first civilian role at SAP, where he worked alongside others with military backgrounds.
He didn’t yet know what ERP was, but SAP needed his defence expertise—and he needed a German employer so he could stay close to his wife’s family. He applied for nearly 100 jobs before SAP called. He said yes without knowing how deeply the role would change his life.
Finding His Place in a New World
Even after more than a decade at SAP, Lynn admits he still feels like an outsider in the ERP world. His strength isn’t in transaction codes—it’s in bringing an analytics and intelligence-first perspective that opens up new possibilities for defence clients.
This difference hasn’t always been easy. Early on, his focus on analytics rubbed against traditional ERP thinking. But over time, customers began to see the value of his approach. For Lynn, it’s never been about fitting perfectly into the mould—it’s about finding the gaps and filling them with something better.
Chaos, Reimagined
Lynn has found ways to replicate the camaraderie and adaptability of military life in the civilian world—whether in a hackathon gone sideways or a demanding customer engagement.
“A good team overlaps in each other’s lanes. You know your role, but you also know how to step into someone else’s when needed. That’s where trust grows.”
Life Beyond the Job
When he’s not working, Lynn values simplicity: morning workouts before his family wakes up, geocaching trips with his teenage son, and yes—occasionally playing SimCity BuildIt when no one’s watching. Family time, he says, replenishes him in a way nothing else can. It’s where the adrenaline of the past meets the calm of the present.
Paying It Forward
Mentoring came naturally in the military, but in corporate life, Lynn had to wait for the right opportunity. When SAP brought on working students, he seized the chance—not only to guide them but to learn from them in return. “They’re digital natives. They think differently. And if you listen, you’ll find they have just as much to teach you as you have to teach them.”
Lessons Carried Forward
Lynn’s journey is a reminder that the skills forged in one chapter of life can transform the next. Whether in combat gear or in a business suit, the mission remains the same: find the chaos, bring the order, and never forget the people who make it possible.
Connect with Lynn on LinkedIn
