Personal Development Mentor, Parenting Coach, Career Counselor, Ethical Guide
LOYALTY
- Sep 16, 2024
LOYALTY
It is a most misused term. Loyalty is not to an individual ideally, it should be to a vision, an organisation, and your country’s laws and to your own family, culture and customs.
Loyalty in the Army means loyalty towards your Nation, Army, Regiment, Unit and your troops in equal measure.
Most people take it as only meant to be shown towards your superiors but to my mind if some superior is crossing the boundaries of ethics, organizational policies and is reported out, that act is also loyalty.
When we join Armed Forces all of us officers and soldiers alike take an Oath as paraphrased to “bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India, honesty and faithfully serve in the regular Army/Air Force/Navy, go for any deployment on duty and to obey all commands of the superiors – EVEN TO THE PERIL OF MY DEATH”.
So here you have a group of soldiers, sworn to loyalty and prepared to lay down their lives in the line of duty! And remember this is not a conscripted Army or a gang of mercenaries – but a volunteer self-motivated band of brothers!
I remember when I was a young major operating with my unit in active counter insurgency operation. We had many an encounters due to steady flow of information based on which we used to do cordon and search operations.
In one such operation I was deployed at one side of a street beyond which were holed two terrorist and active exchange of fire was going on since early morning. On the other side of the street barely 10 feet away from me were three soldiers of my sister company under Capt Mehtab Singh, who was at that time away coordinating and controlling his Company operations.
One of the Jawan poked his head out of the corner once, twice and thrice trying to locate the terrorist firing towards us. On the third try, he got shot, right in front of my eyes, on the right check and dropped down dead on the ground. It was a total shock for a few moments for his buddies but they failed to revive him.
In a few short minutes Capt Mehtab Singh reached the spot. I can still, in my mind’s eye, see the turn of events in slow motion. He bent down, felt for pulse in neck of the downed soldier, not finding it shook his head, put his hand in still liquid blood of his comrades, smeared it on his forehead and charged towards the house from where fire was coming. Two of his buddies followed a few steps behind because they were taken by surprise by his sudden dash. Mind you it was directly in face of a confirmed marksman shooter at about 50 yards in broad day light!
Hats off to the brave young officer! He killed the lone terrorist responsibile for the death of his comrade at point blank range fully aware of danger to his life. The sense of loyalty to his troops made him risk his life as, I have no doubt, and his troops would have done for him!
This was the finest example of young leadership I will remember till my last breath!
Loyalty is a word often thrown around in conversations about leadership, but what does it truly mean? It’s not about blind obedience to superiors or unwavering support for the team regardless of circumstances. Instead, loyalty in leadership is nuanced and multifaceted. It’s about fostering a sense of commitment, trust, and mutual respect within the team. Creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered is key to achieving this.
Building a loyal team doesn’t involve forcing everyone to follow the same playbook. It’s more about nurturing a sense of shared purpose and connection. Here’s a closer look at why loyalty is such a crucial leadership quality and how you can cultivate it within your team.
The foundation of loyalty lies in a shared sense of purpose. What is the team working towards? What impact are they striving to create? When team members understand the “why” behind their work, it fosters a connection and commitment that goes beyond mere tasks. Take the time to clearly articulate your team’s vision and goals. Involve team members in the planning process, allowing them to contribute their ideas and perspectives. When everyone feels like a valued contributor to a larger mission, loyalty naturally takes root.
Loyalty isn’t just about expecting unwavering support from your team; it’s also about being their champion and advocate. This means standing up for their needs and interests within the organization and beyond. If a team member is facing an unfair situation, be their voice of reason. Advocate for the resources and support your team needs to succeed. By demonstrating unwavering support, you build trust and loyalty that endures.
Loyalty thrives in an environment of honesty and transparency. Being honest with your team, even when the news isn’t easy, is crucial. Sugarcoating difficult situations or keeping your team in the dark erodes trust and breeds resentment. Transparency doesn’t mean oversharing every detail, but it does mean keeping your team informed about important decisions that impact their work. Be upfront about challenges and involve them in finding solutions. This collaborative approach fosters trust and allows your team to feel like valued partners.
Everyone makes mistakes, and a loyal leader understands this. Instead of throwing the team under the bus when things go wrong, create a safe space for learning and growth. When mistakes happen, analyze them together, identify the root causes, and develop strategies to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Additionally, celebrate successes, big and small. Recognition boosts morale and demonstrates your appreciation for the team’s hard work.
Loyalty is a two-way street, starting with the leader. Be reliable, dependable, and always willing to go the extra mile. Demonstrate your commitment to the team’s goals through actions, not just words. While loyalty to your team is crucial, it also involves being honest and ethical with superiors and colleagues. This doesn’t mean blind obedience. If you see something wrong, speak up. Advocate for what’s right, even if it’s difficult. True loyalty lies in doing what is best for the organization, the team, and yourself while upholding ethical principles.
Cultivating loyalty within your team isn’t just about feeling good; it has tangible benefits. A loyal team is motivated, more likely to go the extra mile, collaborate effectively, and weather challenges together. They trust their leader and each other, creating a strong foundation for success.
Loyalty isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process. By consistently demonstrating your commitment to the team, fostering a shared purpose, and leading by example, you’ll build a loyal and high-performing team capable of achieving incredible things together.
Major General Balraj Mehta
For over 35 years I served in the esteemed Indian Army, starting with one star on the shoulder to two stars on the flag. Leading infantry forces and commanding thousands of soldiers honed my leadership skills and instilled in me a deep understanding of human nature. This experience allows me to connect with individuals on a profound level, offering practical solutions for navigating complex career and parenting challenges.
My passion extends beyond the uniform into advising clients for a happy family life, grooming teenagers & young adults and development assistance to professionals. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge sharing and personal growth. As a paratrooper I embraced challenges head-on, defying limitations and soaring to new heights. Now, I translate that same spirit into my work as a Coach, Mentor, Writer Speaker and Influencer.
Since transitioning from the military, I have embarked on a captivating journey of engaging audiences with my insights on leadership, human relations, and the ever-evolving nature of parent child relationship. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on empowering young adults and spreading awareness about need for compassionate parenting, offering valuable perspectives honed through first hand, personal and real-world experience.
I hold dear my commitment to knowledge sharing, teaching, guiding and mentoring the budding entrepreneurs, young professionals and parents of teenagers. By equipping future leaders with the tools they need to excel, I aim to empower them to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing world. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and know that I am helping to shape the next generation of charismatic leaders.
In 1983 I embarked on a distinguished career in the Indian Army, having been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unwavering loyalty and dedication I held for my Nation and my Service became the cornerstone of faith during my professional journey. Each year honed my character, sharpened my skills, and fortified my resolve in service of a greater mission which I took upon as my very own!
Olive Green blood runs in my veins!
My operational journey in infantry culminated in commanding an infantry brigade in a highly sensitive operational area. This exceptionally successful tenure earned me the coveted Sena Medal for distinguished service in 2013. Throughout my career, I endeavour to forge excellent civil-military relations and oversaw crucial operations, including the rebuilding of military establishments devastated by Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
After 35 years of dedicated service, my career peaked as the General Officer Commanding the Sub Area of Uttarakhand and later the 41 Sub Area. On 31 August 2018, I superannuated from the Indian army, receiving a dignified farewell by the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
My experiences have equipped me to guide individuals through the journey called life, helping people overcome their uncertainties and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
My mission is to empower individuals to live a meaningful life and pursue fulfilling careers. I leverage my expertise in handling human resources, teaching, coaching and personal experiences in leading large organisations to provide guidance and support to parents to deal with their parenting woes, especially with respect to teenagers. I am dedicated to helping parents to overcome anxieties, discover their children’s passions and guide them to successful career choices. My goal is to see them gain clarity, build confidence, and find joy in their life and work.
I am committed to guiding entrepreneurs and young professionals to acquire necessary skills, develop their latent leadership qualities, get over anxiety for performance and forge a stronger personal and professional standing. I consider enhancing their efficiency by reorganisation, reorientation and reaffirmation as my specialty.
I envision a world where parents are empowered to let their children get aligned with their passions, values and talents and feel supported and encouraged to make wise career choices. I strive to be a catalyst for this change, providing the guidance and knowledge necessary for parents to build strong children, for teenagers to grow into strong, stable and compassionate adults and young professionals to achieve greater personal and professional fulfilment.
- Maj Gen Balraj Mehta
