<\/p>\n
\u201cMorale is faith in the person at the top\u201d (Familiar Saying).<\/p>\n
IN MOST OF THE GROUPS THAT WE\u2019RE MEMBERS OF, GREAT THINGS DEPEND ON THE MORALE OF THE GROUP. If those who make up a group are collectively discouraged, depressed, negligent, and unwilling to work, it\u2019s not likely that good things are going to result. But if they\u2019re confident, cheerful, disciplined, and eager to contribute, there aren\u2019t many goals the group can\u2019t accomplish. And the more important the goal, the more morale is a crucial factor.<\/p>\n
Morale does not come from the mere assertion of a leader\u2019s authority. Leaders need to understand that morale among the \u201ctroops\u201d depends, to a large extent, on whether the troops believe the leaders know what they\u2019re doing. Great morale is inspired by those who have the confidence of their peers<\/em> to help them reach their goals.<\/p>\n But if \u201cmorale is faith in the person at the top,\u201d many people would say, \u201cWell then, morale is not my responsibility; I\u2019m not the person at the top.\u201d If we think that way, we\u2019re probably taking a limited view of our lives. We\u2019re probably thinking of only one or two of our relationships, such as work or school. But in the larger reality, all of us are members of many different relationships, and each of us has the responsibility for leadership in at least a few of them.<\/p>\n Think of a relationship, however small, in which others look to you for leadership. How is the morale? Are those who comprise the relationship encouraged or discouraged about the group\u2019s mission? Could you make a difference by leading differently?<\/p>\n Sometimes, we may unknowingly share our fears with others rather than our courage. However, most people already have enough fears to cope with on their own; what they need is hope \u2014 along with the motivation to actively pursue it. So Robert Louis Stevenson\u2019s advice was wise: \u201cKeep your fears to yourself, but share your courage.\u201d<\/p>\n We need to care about positive morale enough to promote it and protect it. Doing that doesn\u2019t always require big steps; sometimes small steps in the right direction are extremely helpful. The people who follow us just need to know that we\u2019re making progress<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen enthusiasm is inspired by reason; controlled by caution; sound in theory; practical in application; reflects confidence; spreads good cheer; raises morale; inspires associates; arouses loyalty, and laughs at adversity, it is beyond price\u201d (Coleman Cox).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n