“Good leaders lead by example, personal presence, and involvement. Only commanders who are competent to lead can assure the defence of the nation. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) therefore demands the highest standards of leadership at all levels of command and expects them to lead, excel, and inspire others to give their best to the nation.” (The SAF Core Values, 1997, p. 7).
Leadership is a privilege and an honour that also comes with tremendous responsibility. The Army defines leadership as a process of influencing others to accomplish the mission, inspiring their commitment, and improving the organization.
Singapore maintains a conscript-based military. Every able-bodied male citizen and permanent resident, 18 years old of age and above, must serve 2 years of full time military training. As such, we as leaders are accountable to the parents who entrust their sons to us; to train as effective and operationally ready combat soldiers. Hence, it is of utmost importance that we give their sons tough and safe training.
Mohandas Gandhi once said, “I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.” This applies very much in today’s leadership management. Citizens turned soldiers serve with varying motivations; some with pride and some wished they would not need to serve. Furthermore, the current generation of soldiers are more inquisitive and technologically savvy than soldiers of yesteryears. Hence, draconian style is no longer relevant in today’s context and it is important for all leaders to recognize this change in our Army.
I. A.M. S. O.N.E. frames my leadership philosophy and guides me in my everyday work, and I seek every subordinate leader to use this as guiding pillars in your respective command.
Integrity: Will you follow a leader who you do not trust? Sun Tze said, “The masterful leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to proper methods and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.” Integrity sets the framework of which the leader will make decision. Moreover, people will only feel safe to share ideas and problems with a leader of integrity. Once a leader ever compromises his or her integrity, even at the slightest, it is lost; and it will take a great deal for him or her to reinstate the lost trust.
Adept in your functional area: It is important that leaders continue to lead by example and be proficient in their area of specialization. Therefore, leaders must be committed to life-long learning to stay relevant in the ever-changing environment. This will not only equip the leader to perform his duties well but also give him the moral high ground to demand standards, respect, and commitment from the soldiers.
Modesty: Learn to be humble. There is no perfect man in this world and it is a big mistake to think you are one. Citizen soldiers grew up in a different era from you and their upbringing will at times bring good alternative ideas that may turn out to be the better solution or even strengthen your decision. Accepting them will not compromise your position as a leader but conversely strengthen their trust in you. A leader who listens well and gets along well with his soldiers will bond the team stronger.
Spirited: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Fighting spirit is a force multiplier in war. The best form of welfare a leader can give to his soldiers during peacetime is tough training. Whether it is peacetime training or operational duties, we must continue to persevere to overcome adversity.
Operational readiness: Are you ready when called upon? The fundamental purpose of our existence is to deter, and to defend effectively when called upon. Leaders are responsible to train the soldiers to be operationally ready during peacetime so they can be effective warriors in war.
Nurturing the young: As leaders, we must continue to develop his soldiers; identifying their strength and work on their weaknesses. As citizen soldiers, serving in the military is not their only responsibility but also the influence he has on the society after his military service. This includes but not only to inculcating SAF seven core values; Loyalty to Country, Leadership, Professionalism, Fighting Spirit, Ethics, Care for Soldiers.
Experience: Positive experience generates positive aura. Conscription is not only about the 2 years of military service the soldier serves, but also the positive and meaningful Army experience he brings to the society. Positive experiences will in turn strengthen the relationship between the society and the Army.
