LEADERSHIP VIS A VIS MANPOWER AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
1.Bangladesh is the second largest troops contributing country (TCC) in the world for the UN. I've done UN mission twice, in Ivory Coast and in DR Congo. Just before joining the staff course I had been in Congo with BANENGR. At first BANENGR base camp was loc in MOBUNE which is in southeast Congo. There our camp was well set with all its eqpt, heavy vehicle, accommodations etc. Unfortunately after nine months of our mission, we were ordered to shift our entire base camp to a new loc which is around 500 km away in a separate province. Again we have to finish shifting the entire camp and give completion report to UN HQ within 02 months.
2. This time my CO asked me to take over as advance party commander of 40 persons. After recce I found that establishing a full fledged camp in the new location is a mammoth task which require major engineering effort. Moreover, the new camp site was located in a remote location which was controlled by the rebel group of Congo. In a nutshell, the mission I received was quite challenging and demands sound planning, hard work and motivation of all.
3. At that instan, we were left with only 3 months of our mission. Actually troops were in a going mood and wrapping up their mission asg. Therefore, one point was certain to all sldrs that they had to undergo extreme hardship and fatigue but they wont be able to enjoy the fruit. Soldiers could realize that they had to work throughout the day and give sentry post duty at night. This is really a very difficult task for an individual.
4. Sensing the huge hardship, the soldiers became demotivated, lathergic and started giving funny problems. Initially the progress of work was very slow and discouraging. Then to get rid of such stumbling block I started envolving myself with the tps for maximum possible time. I gave them mission oriented task, adequate resources and approprite guidance. I started giving incentives to them for successful complition of assigned tasks. Inside camp, all possible recreational facilities were arranged and their over night duty was made relaxed. By this I could create an environment so that troops can endure hardship in a smiling face. Thus, we could finish the project well in time.
5. Lesson learnt from this experience are:
a. As a ldr mere passing the order wont suffice, rather devising plan, allocating resources and ensuring progress is very important.
b. Proper motivation can bring the change, convert the impossible into possible. Undercommand can do or undo anything if they get the spark from the leader.
c. Taking care of troops, to know their difficulties, enhanced interpersonal relationships is very effective tool. Here we get the proof of the statement, men first, mission always.
2. This time my CO asked me to take over as advance party commander of 40 persons. After recce I found that establishing a full fledged camp in the new location is a mammoth task which require major engineering effort. Moreover, the new camp site was located in a remote location which was controlled by the rebel group of Congo. In a nutshell, the mission I received was quite challenging and demands sound planning, hard work and motivation of all.
3. At that instan, we were left with only 3 months of our mission. Actually troops were in a going mood and wrapping up their mission asg. Therefore, one point was certain to all sldrs that they had to undergo extreme hardship and fatigue but they wont be able to enjoy the fruit. Soldiers could realize that they had to work throughout the day and give sentry post duty at night. This is really a very difficult task for an individual.
4. Sensing the huge hardship, the soldiers became demotivated, lathergic and started giving funny problems. Initially the progress of work was very slow and discouraging. Then to get rid of such stumbling block I started envolving myself with the tps for maximum possible time. I gave them mission oriented task, adequate resources and approprite guidance. I started giving incentives to them for successful complition of assigned tasks. Inside camp, all possible recreational facilities were arranged and their over night duty was made relaxed. By this I could create an environment so that troops can endure hardship in a smiling face. Thus, we could finish the project well in time.
5. Lesson learnt from this experience are:
a. As a ldr mere passing the order wont suffice, rather devising plan, allocating resources and ensuring progress is very important.
b. Proper motivation can bring the change, convert the impossible into possible. Undercommand can do or undo anything if they get the spark from the leader.
c. Taking care of troops, to know their difficulties, enhanced interpersonal relationships is very effective tool. Here we get the proof of the statement, men first, mission always.
