Mutual Expectations Bring Mutual Accountability: Story of Three Army officers

This is based on real story.

 

One Brigadier and two Colonels after retirement, planned to visit Masai Mara Safari in Kenya. Trip was going on very well. They went to the park along with other tourists, and were enjoying thoroughly.

 

 

Suddenly they noticed that they were the best dressed people, rather overdressed vis a vis so many other tourists. During the group visit, they were the first to report, never went off the track, always kept the distance from lions etc. In fact, the tour guide was so impressed with them that he wanted to know about their background etc. When they told him that they are Military veterans from India, he exclaimed “No surprise”

 

In the evening they were sitting for drinks and dinner. One Colonel asked “How come we are so sincere in our entire approach, we are the only one who are well shaved off in the morning, report in time and then we wait for others …sometimes it is so embarrassing also to keep waiting for long …”

 

“Why do you shave early in the morning.” The Colonel asked Brigadier.

 

“I shave because if I do not shave, you will not shave either and we all will look messy. But did I ever tell you to shave …we all come on Safari and shaving is not required. We are out of Army now, retired people. You can make your own choice”

 

“Point is that if we look messy, entire group of Indians will think about us …we cannot afford to look messy, we are Army veterans. “Second Colonel uttered.

 

“But they themselves look very messy, some of them have not taken a bath also since last one week.” Brigadier said.

 

“Tomorrow onwards we should be totally relaxed and enjoy our messiness…” Brigadier uttered. Everyone laughed.

 

“Why we should be like others ...we should be like us only, even if it is bit uncomfortable” Brigadier’s wife exclaimed.

 

No decision taken.

 

Next morning ….to their mutual surprise, each one reached 15 minutes before the group, everyone was nicely attired and of course properly shaved …. There were exchanging smiles.

 

Why?

 

What is the lesson?

 

Mutual expectations are always more powerful than individuals’ expectation.

 

Extrapolate it in your organisation life, family life and you will find it true in most of the cases. Live to those expectations and you will be happy.

 

#lifeisgood #Allthingsbrightandbeutiful