[April 15, 2021] We all make mistakes, and I have certainly made enough myself. One stands out in my preparation for a professional career. Whether it was in college studying engineering or as a young lieutenant in the Army, I underestimated the intellectual discipline needed to achieve great things.
Is the lack of intellectual discipline simply laziness? I don’t think so, although I will be honest and admit that, yes, laziness plays a significant part. When we should be making improvements, we are spending time on entertainment, avoiding the difficult work to stay abreast of advances in our career field, and not reading the writings of and conversing enough with intelligent folks.
I’ll be very blunt. There is probably no person reading this article that hasn’t made the mistake of underestimating what it takes to do exemplary work. In America, intellectual achievements are valued, but, unfortunately, intellectual laziness is encouraged. Too many think they are owed something just because they are a U.S. citizen. Or, the sacrifice is just too much.
Outstanding leadership is achieved only by possessing tough intellectual discipline. Look over the many books and articles on leadership. While intellectual discipline is necessary, it is rarely discussed. I don’t know why. Maybe it is just too difficult. You still must have discipline.
What can we do to turn the boat around and put greater emphasis on intellectual discipline?
Here are a few thoughts:
- Promote intellectual discipline as a Core Value: Along with courage, integrity, loyalty, duty, selfless service, honor, and respect, add intellectual competence through discipline to the list. Core values make up the bedrock of our character. Rise it to the level it cannot be ignored.
- Learn from the mistakes of others: The point is to make it difficult to succeed. Learn from failure. If you don’t fail, you won’t learn. Experience failure, own it and build from it.
- Think to fight: We give time to stay in physical shape, “fit to fight.” Provide additional time during the day to read, converse, and learn, Actively use mentors to challenge old ways of doing business and to bring in new creative ways.
The starting point to re-orient the ever-shifting discussion on building and preparing ourselves and others for the future can start here with these thoughts. At our core, humans are learning beings. It is only right we place that advantage at the core of our military through intellectual discipline.
Now, this is an interesting article with some grounded recommendations. Underestimating the necessary intellectual discipline is something we all have failed at. I don’t necessarily agree that it’s laziness but more simply not knowing the requirements. That is why a mentor is always best when you can find one. They will tell you the pitfalls in any of life’s endeavors.
But a gun always helps! Right? Well, maybe not always.
5 Proven Methods For Gaining Self Discipline
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2014/06/18/5-proven-methods-for-gaining-self-discipline/?sh=501676933c9f
Some good ideas in this article by Jennifer Cohen in Forbes.
To promote “Promote intellectual discipline as a Core Value” makes a lot of sense to me. What would we call it? Just “intellectual discipline?” I think perhaps something simpler, like “focus” or …. well, I’m not so sure. But you get the idea. ID is too hard to remember and will push people away because they think it is too complex and hard. Well, it is hard. But it is necessary. We cannot be lazy or we’re screwed.
Good point, Jeff. 👍
Excellent article. Thanks Gen. Satterfield.
Good one, Gen. S. Kick ’em in the rear and maybe a few of us will get ourselves in gear. I heard of this but in different phrases like “stay focused” and “don’t drift mentally.” Theese are just a few, of course, but discipline in the mind is very very difficult for the ordinary person. It takes both more effort and PRACTICE than one would think. Okay, I’m running on here but you get the idea. Focus, stay disciplined to succeed.
You got that right, old warrior. And, it requires self-motivation. That is what I call it.
You are a funny one, old warrior. “Kick ’em in the rear [in the butt or ass]” would be more like you normally write. Oh well, keep your comments coming our way.
Once again, Gen. Satterfield, you have a spot on article and this time about a subject we just don’t talk about or even read about. A search of the Internet reveals little in the way of explaining this. There are articles and books on how to “succeed.” But there are few on the mental methods to do so.
“Intellectual discipline,” interesting topic. I never thought of success in this way.
Yes, Randy. I always believed discipline to be important but thought of it more as following the guidelines, rules, laws, and directives of others, not so much discipline intellectually. Yes, interesting. As always, Gen. Satterfield is making me think in different ways.
Good article today that does, indeed make us think. That is the reason I come to this website on leadership. It’s not just leadership but helps me be a better persson.
Yep! The truth shall set you free. 😊
Yep, old names, same idea. Maybe we don’t find it in books, etc. because it is called something different. Just a thought.