Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)
Being a military leader in combat carries awesome responsibilities. The leader can make decisions and issue orders that require soldiers to put their lives on the line. Soldiers know this. What do soldiers require of leaders in return? While the answers given by soldiers may differ in some ways, all soldiers need to know that leaders genuinely care about their welfare. Not just talk, but action. When you demonstrate caring through your actions, you can say “Follow me!” They will.
Jesus Christ knows all about soldiers and how to meet their needs. He gave us the Golden Rule. If you as a leader will consistently apply this principle in your treatment of soldiers, getting their loyalty and support will not be an issue. One effective way to demonstrate the Golden Rule is to be with the troops in tough or dangerous situations. When you show your willingness to share hardships with them, it sends a powerful message to those you lead. Not surprisingly, the Golden Rule works well in all kinds of situations. That’s the way God intended it to be.
