Esprit de corps

[I]“Morale is the capacity of a group of people to pull together persistently and consistently in pursuit of a common purpose.”[/I] —Alexander Leighton

As a military officer, I learned that leadership is enhanced when morale is high and individuals work as a team. The physical and emotional demands placed on soldiers during battle can test the bravest souls to the extreme; however, greater strength and purpose is achieved when individuals act as a unified body.

Esprit de corps (pronounced: es PREE deh core) is a French word that translates as group spirit, and it is usually synonymous with the morale of a group and comradeship. It is the common spirit that exists in a group and that inspires enthusiasm, devotion, and a strong regard for honor among its members. When it exists, the group has a sense of purpose, direction and a feeling of invincibility. If it does not exist, disorganization, infighting, and power struggles prevail.

During war, one of the main objectives is to destroy the morale of the enemy because it reduces their will to resist. If the will to fight is taken away, it is relatively easy to subdue and conquer a group. Even though the CNMI is not at war, we are in a battle that is testing our capacity to work together for the greater good. Fear and factionalism is destroying the community from the inside out. Unless it is turned around, it will destroy the “spirit of the body” and act as a community cancer that will weaken the overall body and eventually cause its collapse.

During wartime, morale is high if a regiment:

-Clearly understands the objectives;

-Values the objectives and feels they are worthwhile to pursue;

-Believes that the objectives can be achieved; and

-Fears the consequences if the battle is lost.

These same elements are also essential in an organization to maintain esprit de corps so that the company can move confidently forward to achieve its goals and objectives. Henri Fayol, an early French management scholar outlined 14 principles that are essential to manage well. Esprit de corps was the last, but not least principle. Fayol suggested that: “real talent is needed to coordinate effort, encourage keenness, use each person’s abilities, and reward each one’s merit without arousing possible jealousies and disturbing harmonious relations.”

Therein lies the crux. Real talent appears to be an anomaly in most organizations, but it is necessary to create an environment where a harmonious and purposeful group spirit is fostered. It can be experienced and felt in the best-run companies, yet it is elusive to capture and imbue that same spirit into the body of another organization without the proper leadership. Too often, the very people who need to “make it happen” undermine esprit de corps, and therefore foster the disintegration of the organization. Here are a just a few factors that can negatively impact morale in a body of people:

-The management style of its leaders;

-Lack of job security;

-Inability for team members to freely communicate concerns and express opinions;

-Nepotism and unfair hiring and promotion practices;

-Feelings that an individual’s contribution is not valued; and

-Lack of integrity and duplicity, as demonstrated by top management.

It will take the right kind of leadership to inspire and instill esprit de corps into the general body of an organization and the community if we want to survive. That leadership will come, not just from political aspirants, but also from ordinary individuals who want to make a difference. If enough people are energized to make that difference, then that energy will transfer to others until the air is charged with excitement and hope.

This is a watershed year for the people of the CNMI. It is absolutely essential for the real talent that exists here to step forward and run for political office, take charge of their organizations, and foster community support to create the esprit de corps that will bring about the changes we desperately need to jumpstart the economy and start moving us in the right direction. Anything else will only perpetuate the chaotic crisis and raucous rhetoric that has become the insufferable status quo in the Commonwealth.

[I]Rik is a business instructor at NMC and Janel is a partner with BizResults, LLC (www.bizresults.org). They can be contacted at biz_results@yahoo.com.[/I]