Respect from Others Boosts Morale

Inspire

“Soldiers, who are not highly paid, can maintain high motivation because they take pride in being respected by the public,” says Damian McKinney. At Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, all members of the royal family attended in military uniform, and sailors of the Royal Navy stood guard around the Queen’s coffin. Publicly demonstrating the role of protecting the head of state elevates soldiers’ sense of pride.

Organizations that honor and respect those who shoulder the toughest responsibilities are strong.

 
Deep Dive

Damian states very clearly:
“You can’t ask people to give their lives for money.”

“For soldiers, money is nothing more than a ‘hygiene factor’ that secures their families and their lives after retirement. What sustains a soldier’s high motivation is the pride of risking one’s life to defend one’s country.”
That’s what he means. What stirs their pride are many things other than money.

“You can’t keep hundreds of thousands of soldiers motivated by logic alone.”
That is why, he says, you need mechanisms that allow soldiers to truly feel that “my work is respected.” A prime example of this is the uniform and the insignia of rank.

Many of you probably saw the footage from Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, where her coffin was placed on an old gun carriage and surrounded by sailors of the Royal Navy wearing caps boldly marked “ROYAL NAVY.” I have many friends connected to the British armed forces, so as I watched, I found myself thinking things like,
“Well, Britain really is a naval nation.”
“Oh, look, the Marines are lined up over there.”
“That general must be a three-star—and wow, he’s wearing a lot of medals.”

As I was starting to get bored during a lull in the coverage, I started channel-surfing between the BBC and CNN. The BBC, much like NHK when it covers imperial ceremonies in Japan, maintained a solemn silence. CNN, on the other hand, had anchors and commentators talking nonstop.

“Once they leave Westminster Abbey, it’s basically a full military funeral, isn’t it?”
“Do you think Britain still longs for the glory of the British Empire?”
“No, no—Britain still holds the Commonwealth together with its naval power even today.”
“By the way, Princess Anne looks great in uniform.”
“And I guess Prince Harry still isn’t allowed to wear a uniform today, huh?”

They were saying whatever came to mind. Listening to this, I couldn’t help but laugh and think, “Still, the way they treat soldiers and uniforms is full of respect. Damian is right.”

In Japan’s business world, perhaps the most typical object that commands respect from others is the business card. A business card that clearly states one’s organization and position has an impact comparable to a military uniform or rank insignia. We even have the uniquely Japanese custom of saying, “You must not treat someone else’s business card carelessly.”

I also feel that the work uniforms worn by factory workers—especially by manufacturing company presidents—play a role similar to a military uniform. The message, “It is by your strength, wearing these coveralls, that our company stands,” echoes the attitude of the British royal family in treating the uniform as a symbol of respect.

One final word. I believe we should show even greater respect than ever to the members of the Self-Defense Forces, whose responsibilities for national security, as a de facto military, are growing by the day. It is a problem that, outside places like Yokosuka, so few SDF personnel walk proudly through town in uniform. Respect from those around them boosts morale, after all.