[April 17, 2023] The importance of eating meals together with others is often overlooked or taken for granted. I wrote a couple of times about this and focused my attention on the pragmatism of what I gained from these meals. In one recent article, I wrote of the reasons to eat your meal with others, but there is more.
Very few recognize the importance of a stable society (or international order) that depends on the social bonds forged – not due to shared beliefs – but with recognizing common humanity. And that communication can be created and enhanced by eating together with someone, which is one of the more primordial things you can do.
Eating with someone is profound, and I see it beyond rational discussion (pragmatism of the moment). This is why my regular luncheons with lower-ranking military members – Eating with the Privates – were socially deeper than I realized then. This was not common, but it worked.
True enough, I often ate meals with folks from many organizations, international companies, and military units because it was a real test of a functional “civilization.” This is important to know. I was forging bonds, sometimes unbeknown to me, that would last a lifetime.
Eating together is an essential recognition of something great in our lives. And that is a human need that is universal and is at the center of humanness. It is where the individual comes together with the family and the community, and more. In religious terms, eating together is a sanctification of something greater than ourselves.
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Makes a lot of sense and is like all humans have done since the beginning when first human walked the planet.
Eating together – a key part of living together and being around others – is part and parcel of the human experience. Frankly, there is no substitute. I know that our new “social world order” frowns upon any social interaction not approved in the woke space. These together don’t add up. What could go wrong?
Not to be ignored but to be praised. The Observer, well said.
Wow, great article. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield.
Eating at the Mess Hall, page 100, Chapter 8: “Groundhog Day”. Buy the Book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq.”
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Just a note to add to what Bryan has listed. Get a copy of this book today. It is the best look from the inside on what was happening early in the Iraq War. It tells a “story that needs telling” and Gen. Satterfield – a Lieutenant Colonel at the time – tells the story. Each page is a look at what you would never expect. It is about making our military look good but also about tackling unexpected major problems every day and moving on from there, learning more about war and learning more about people. Gen. S and his soldiers forged long-lasting relationships that helped Iraq. Now, the country without him or his men, is slowly deteriorating. Sad.
Yes, get a copy of “Our Longest Year in Iraq.” You will not regret it. And leave a comment at Amazon.
Excellent article.
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Got that right.
One good thing about coming to this website on leadership is the consistently provoking and educational material. Thanks Gen. Satterfield for your insights.
I’ve been away, out of country for a few days, and am now back. Good to log on and to read the leadership blog that helped make me who I am today.
Welcome back Nick!
Eating together is a “primordial” behavior and not to be overlooked as something of pure convenience. Eating together helps us shape ourselves and makes us ‘better’ in life and ensures we are able to have a vision for ourselves, a pathway to accomplish those things noble, and a skill to bring others along with us. That is the ultimate definition of leadership. Mindful of Gen. Satterfield’s definition of leadership and how that fits so well.
Great article, Gen. Satterfield. Love your blog.
What is there not to love about this site? Only that there aren’t more articles that force me to THINK. Gen. Satterfield is top notch. Keep these kind of articles coming our way. BTW, I see that Gen. S. is building upon earlier blog posts and that is good. Developing himself in these posts helps us too.
Yes, Liz, you’re right about that. Gen. Satterfield is on it!!!!!!!!
Bam! We are with Gen. S all the way.
More important than a raise at work. Eat with your co-workers, your boss, and those that work for you. And, of course, eat a meal with your family every day (if possible). That is how you create social bonds – trust, if you will – and forge lasting relationships. Otherwise, you will do poorly and make poor choices in life because others will not be there for you.
This is what Pres Trump was good at. And what Pres Biden is terrible at. Which method is better? Oh, the FBI is watching me so I will just say, “Asking for a friend.” Hmmmmmmmm 😎