I’ve Been Reading…
The Korean War: M. Hastings (1987 p.280-84/290-91) Michael Joseph, London
Put In
As a leader, is the culture I allow to grow within my team a protection or a provocation? The value of a culture is seen in the way it treats its own. How we treat each other dictates the value of our leadership. Do we cultivate a culture of respect, trust and understanding or one of fear, control and callousness? Are we dictators or motivators?
Work Through
The allies fighting in Korean against the communists on behalf of the South Koreans had “no powerful sympathy for the South Koreans.” Says Hastings. Why?
It was all down to the way they treated their own.
“UN soldiers’ sense of alienation from the Koreans was intensified by observing their brutality toward each other.” States Max. “One had a hard time thinking of them as civilised human beings.” Mass executions, murders, and barbaric maulings: the allies “constantly witnessed dreadful acts of brutality by the Republic Of Korea (ROK) forces toward the S. Korean people… ROK troops would systematically mow down refugees in their path.”
He records the horror of one observer: “I saw… a kid who lost a rifle was made to stand in a barrel of water all day in January… men were beaten with pine saplings… one solider had to dig his own grave and was shot for falling asleep on duty.” Many were simply “astounded that men of any society could behave in such a fashion to each other… arbitrary execution appeared the foundation of ROK army discipline.”
The south Korean president – Syngman Rhee – also conducted his own dictatorship in complete disdain for the UN’s principles or practice, performing atrocities and horror on his own people. “Nothing could change the fact that the process of law scarcely existed in Seoul, any more than in Pyongyang. His vengeance was as casual and ruthless as that of Kim Il Sung.”
Hastings also provides the text of a report submitted on the ‘ROK army officer’: “In almost all cases has no love or respect for his superiors – only homage – and no love, respect, nor sense of responsibility for his subordinates. He will brow beat his juniors, steal from all. He spends his time and effort on ‘eyewash’ rather the actual correction of conditions. He works hard at building his own ego to the point where he believed himself infallible, but when the times really get rough, he comes back to his adviser for strength and decision.”
Take Away
This made me think of how I build culture within my team.
“…has no love or respect, nor sense of responsibility for his subordinates.” Sound like any one you know – or have to follow? Such a culture of “mistrust and contempt” breeds only fear and servitude. If we only care about ourselves, our goals, our needs, and treat others as pawns, peasant or pack-animals, the value of our leadership culture will be worthless.
Culture is a product of behaviour, belief and values. Our behaviour to each other bespeaks our beliefs and vindicates or vilifies our values, thus recommending or reviling our culture.
A leader is responsible for the culture of a team. The way a leader treats his team, and allows each member to treat each other, reflects his beliefs and values, and thus is the foundation of that culture. The way we treat each other is the key to our culture’s value: as something to be recommended or reviled. If a leader does not value his people, and shows it, the culture will deteriorate. Those within the team will suffer and seek to escape while others, from the outside, will observe and avoid it.
Our leadership culture should be one that cares not crushes; supports not strangles; encourages not enslaves. A positive culture builds up, not beats down.
When in a position of power, authority, or influence, our duty is to protect not take! Protect our people; protect our values; protect our culture: not take advantage; take their spirit; or take a toll. A culture of competitive aggression, back-stabbing and blaming, showing self-preservation and pride over team-building and bonding, will be a provocation instead of a protection.
Build a positive culture and don’t be a dictator: be a motivator!
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