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As an officer in the Singapore Armed Forces, I received and returned thousands of salutes. With each salute I received and returned, I was deeply aware of the price that came with this simple exchange.
In the military, subordinates salute a superior officer as a sign of respect for the rank that the officer wears — not necessarily the individual that wears the rank. This act signifies the responsibility and the trust the subordinate places in the officer. As is the custom, the saluted officer returns the salute and, in doing so, acknowledges his responsibility for this soldier’s well-being, success, and ultimately his or her life.
It is this simple exchange that lies the heavy burden of leadership and why I believe leadership is a calling and one that not everyone is capable of. As leaders, we are responsible for, and to, the people we lead. And, if we cannot, or will not, put their success and well-being ahead of ours, we have no business being their leader.
Every leader should know and understand the price of a salute or, in the corporate world, being called boss. To accept this “salute” means telling your subordinates that they matter and that their trust in us is warranted.
To the men and women I served with in uniform, I thank you for the trust you placed in me. I was deeply honored to have received it, and I hope I had not failed you. To the men and women that I continue to lead today, know that I do not take your trust lightly and that I accept the heavy burden of leading you.
#HormatSAF #SAFDay2022
