The soldiers' goal is to be authentic while still being effective in their missions. They must strike a balance between their personal values and beliefs and the needs of the military organization they serve. Authenticity refers to expressing one's true self, emotions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without pretending to be someone else. Operational effectiveness involves achieving objectives through coordinated action within an organizational framework. In this context, it means accomplishing tasks effectively and efficiently despite challenges that may arise. Soldiers face various dilemmas when balancing these factors.
If a soldier wants to follow his conscience and refuse orders he considers immoral but knows it will harm mission success, what should he do? If a soldier feels strongly about something yet keeps quiet because speaking up would cause conflict, what happens? On the other hand, if a soldier speaks out against his superiors, how does it affect morale and teamwork? How can a soldier reconcile his desire for individuality and uniqueness with the need for conformity and order in the army? What strategies can soldiers employ to find a balance between authenticity and operational effectiveness? How can leaders create environments where soldiers feel free to express themselves without compromising discipline or mission goals? These are some questions explored in this article.
Authenticity is important to soldiers since it helps them feel whole and genuine. It allows them to connect with others and maintain mental health.
It can also lead to conflicts with leadership and coworkers, especially when rules, regulations, or procedures contradict individual desires or opinions. This was evident during the Vietnam War when many soldiers refused to comply with orders deemed unethical or illegal. Authenticity can help soldiers build trust among their teammates by being honest about their thoughts, feelings, needs, and vulnerabilities. It can make them more effective on missions by allowing them to act based on intuition rather than following rigid guidelines blindly. At the same time, some tasks require strict adherence to protocol and procedures to ensure safety and efficiency. Soldiers must learn to differentiate between situations requiring flexibility and those demanding standardization. Leaders must encourage self-expression while teaching soldiers that sometimes rules must be followed even when they don't align with personal values.
Operational effectiveness is essential because it ensures success in combat, training, and other activities. When soldiers work together cohesively, they achieve greater results than when working alone. They must understand each other's roles, strengths, weaknesses, and limitations to operate effectively as a unit. Soldiers must follow orders and remain disciplined despite discomfort or disagreement. Being authentic does not mean ignoring superiors' directives but communicating concerns respectfully and seeking compromise where possible. Balancing these factors requires empathy, understanding, and communication. Soldiers should listen to their leaders but explain why they disagree if necessary. Leaders should welcome feedback and consider alternative solutions without judging subordinates. Authenticity helps soldiers feel heard, valued, and supported, which improves morale and motivation. Operational effectiveness allows for smooth functioning of military organizations by promoting coordination, organization, and order. Both factors are crucial to mission success, but finding a balance is challenging.
How do soldiers balance authenticity with operational effectiveness?
Soldiers must always be conscious of how their actions may affect both themselves and others around them while on duty. They must maintain a high level of professionalism at all times and ensure that they are not only following orders but also adhering to ethical guidelines set forth by the military. Being mindful of one's behavior is important because it can have far-reaching consequences for one's career and reputation within the unit.