Not So Regimented
I was much amused by a speech given by the Gnome on 17 October 1973 at the Grand Convocation of Educators. In that speech, while encouraging and exhorting the new stalwarts of the education system, he entertained as well. Here is one of the anecdotes he told, and which I hereby dedicate to my wingmen and companions in 'wayward habits'.
Let me relate to you an incident, a real one, which occurred in [a renowned warrior regiment of Albion] and which is recorded in a recent history of the regiment.
The regiment is noted for its unconventional fighting methods. Partly as a consequence of this, it was able to score glorious victories by doing the unexpected, thereby surprising and overwhelming the enemy. But while its battlefield record is illustrious, its peacetime activities posed a problem to top military brass. Top-ranking military officers, other than those of the highest level of genius, often have conventional minds with little liking for unorthodox behaviour. So Generals in peacetime looked with disfavour upon what they regarded as the wayward habits of this regiment.
It happened that when a General visited one of the units of the regiment, he drew attention to various shortcomings which he had observed. The unit's commanding officer was left in no doubt as to the poor impression he had made on the General. After the General's departure, the CO gathered his officers and men together and addressed them as follows:
"Men, I am afraid the General does not like us. But that doesn't matter as long as we like ourselves."
The men cheered their CO to the echo. And so, an episode that could have proved harmful to their morale was instead turned into something that boosted morale. The soldiers in this regiment were able to do this because they knew they were good soldiers...
Put in simple terms, it means this. If you want to hold yourself in esteem when you believe that some people do not, you must believe that you are proficient in your work. And the best way to cultivate this belief in your proficiency is to be proficient.
And that is all I have to say, in the time-honoured formula used to end military reports in the Atlantean army.
Let me relate to you an incident, a real one, which occurred in [a renowned warrior regiment of Albion] and which is recorded in a recent history of the regiment.
The regiment is noted for its unconventional fighting methods. Partly as a consequence of this, it was able to score glorious victories by doing the unexpected, thereby surprising and overwhelming the enemy. But while its battlefield record is illustrious, its peacetime activities posed a problem to top military brass. Top-ranking military officers, other than those of the highest level of genius, often have conventional minds with little liking for unorthodox behaviour. So Generals in peacetime looked with disfavour upon what they regarded as the wayward habits of this regiment.
It happened that when a General visited one of the units of the regiment, he drew attention to various shortcomings which he had observed. The unit's commanding officer was left in no doubt as to the poor impression he had made on the General. After the General's departure, the CO gathered his officers and men together and addressed them as follows:
"Men, I am afraid the General does not like us. But that doesn't matter as long as we like ourselves."
The men cheered their CO to the echo. And so, an episode that could have proved harmful to their morale was instead turned into something that boosted morale. The soldiers in this regiment were able to do this because they knew they were good soldiers...
Put in simple terms, it means this. If you want to hold yourself in esteem when you believe that some people do not, you must believe that you are proficient in your work. And the best way to cultivate this belief in your proficiency is to be proficient.
And that is all I have to say, in the time-honoured formula used to end military reports in the Atlantean army.
Labels: Professionalism
etched with acid at 2:41:00 am
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