Exemplariness and Good Karma
"Kuidas küla koerale, nõnda koer külale" Estonian proverb translating to "As the village treats the dog, so the dog treats the village"
This week has been intense – the timetable has stretched us thin. It has been an especially challenging week as the leader of a squad. As a leader, I want to be as exemplary as possible to demand the same discipline from my subordinates. Yet, being exemplary demands that there be absolutely no cutting of corners whatsoever. Especially in difficult contexts, it is most important not to skip any drills.
It is when in the forest with -20°C and 2 hours of sleep over 48 hours that one is put to the test. It is a crucial moment – will you submit to quick pleasures or ensure your sustainability for the long run? In the given context the quick pleasure is a human need – sleep. Yet, to ensure sustainability, before sleep, we need to ensure that a few boxes are ticked.
First, there is nutrition which restores energy. Secondly, the dryness of clothes and equipment is a big player in well-being. Finally, hygiene needs have to be met. Sounds simple and straightforward but I can say from experience that it feels like such a chore when there is (technically) the option to just go to sleep and ensure a few more minutes of sleep. Yet in the long run, the few minutes of sleep are worth less than a well-fed, dry and clean soldier.
This week we did not spend the nights in the forest, we came back for the night. That being said we managed to accumulate a considerable sleep debt nonetheless. That's where the idea for this text came from. Even in the cosy barrack environment, there is still a discipline to withhold and it is a struggle.
There is a fine line to walk to be an understanding person and, simultaneously, a military leader. One demands compassion and care, the other demands that you push your subordinates as much as possible for them to get stronger and/or complete a mission. I do not believe in shouting and insulting people to push them. It is the easy way and the most commonly used here. I want to believe in human intellect, if I explain the why behind my order then they shall understand.
There is a counterargument to my point though. The one thing that you are told when going to the army is that you will meet the average Estonian (which is not false). That is because the army is mandatory, and everyone is supposed to go no matter their background. I got lucky for the most part, in my company there are not so many of them. They still exist, but they are not predominant.
With these kinds of people, explaining the whole backstory is no help. They just do not click. Like at all. That's the reason there is a tradition of shouting and leading by fear because it works on everyone. Still. I stand my ground. I will try my best to act humanely with all. As tough as it may be sometimes. It is about being exemplary and, as the Estonian proverb states, accumulating good karma.
This Week's Suggestions:
💡 Tony Robbins Helps Theo Deal With Low Self-Worth:
I have watched a few clips of Theo Von's before as entertainment, this time around it is a deep talk with Tony Robbins. Something slightly unexpected, yet great. Tony Robbins is pretty good at directing emotional talks.
When writing this post I chose a recent favourite track of mine and made a Spotify radio of it. Then this song came on, and it was a very pleasant surprise. It is an airy-sounding bouncy EDM tune. It boosted my mood and drive to write!
See you next week!
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