I was thinking today about what it is that motivates soldiers to put in the extra work and go that extra mile in times of adversity. Regardless of how that adversity is delivered, in training, or on operations, one motivating factor that I found consistent across the board, is positive pride.
Pride creates a sense of purpose, achievement and belonging. It inspires and motivates people to aim higher than just the minimum required standards and to pay attention to the fine details of their duties. Those who have a sense of pride will put in the extra effort, not because they are told to, but because they choose to.
