One of the most challenging aspects of being a soldier is balancing emotions with professionalism. On one hand, they need to be able to carry out their duties without letting personal feelings get in the way. On the other hand, they also need to be able to connect emotionally with others, both within and outside of the military. This can be difficult because it requires an understanding of how to express emotions without compromising their mission objectives. How do soldiers find this balance between authenticity and professionalism? Let's explore.
Emotional Authenticity
Emotional authenticity means being true to oneself and expressing genuine feelings. It involves honesty about what you are feeling and why you feel that way.
If someone close to you dies, you might feel sadness, anger, guilt, fear, or any combination of these emotions. To express emotional authenticity as a soldier, you must learn to acknowledge your feelings and communicate them effectively. You should also be willing to share those feelings with others who may be affected by them.
Operational Professionalism
Operational professionalism means following standard operating procedures and maintaining discipline even when under pressure. Soldiers must always remain calm, focused, and organized while carrying out their duties. They must be aware of their surroundings at all times and make decisions based on objective data rather than subjective opinions or emotions.
Finding Balance
The key to finding balance between emotional authenticity and operational professionalism lies in self-awareness and communication skills. First, soldiers must understand how their emotions affect their decision-making process and take steps to manage them accordingly. Second, they need to communicate honestly with fellow soldiers and commanders about their feelings without jeopardizing the mission.
They should strive for a healthy balance between emotionally connecting with others and staying focused on the task at hand.
Balancing emotional authenticity with operational professionalism is an important skill for soldiers to develop. By understanding themselves and communicating openly with others, soldiers can maintain high standards while still being true to themselves. This balance requires self-control, discipline, and emotional intelligence. With practice, soldiers can find this delicate balance that allows them to excel both personally and professionally.
How do soldiers balance emotional authenticity with maintaining operational professionalism?
Soldiers are trained to prioritize their duties over personal feelings, as they have to be prepared to carry out orders even when these go against their moral convictions. They learn how to compartmentalize emotionally so that they can switch from a caring spouse at home to an aggressive combatant on duty. Yet, some soldiers struggle to cope with emotional and psychological challenges while still being professional and effective on the battlefield.