Building Stronger Units: The Power of Positive Archetypes
By Beau Wasson
The return of the Army’s iconic “Be All You Can Be” slogan is more than a nostalgic resurgence; it’s a welcome reminder of the perpetual pursuit of growth and development. The phrase prompts introspection: What does it mean to be all one can be? Leaders must answer this question for their organizations by providing a clear vision of where they are going and what THEY can BE.
When discussing leadership, rarely is much time given to the concept of archetypes. An archetype is an example, model, or recurrent symbol that encapsulates an idea. Crafting and harnessing the transformative power of well-defined and positively reinforced archetypes can provide leaders with a critical tool for developing long lasting cultures. Leaders can draw inspiration from the Army Values, Soldier’s Creed, unit-level heroes and veterans (Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross winners are a great start), and prototypical heroes of history to craft a compelling archetype that provides their subordinates with an aspirational goal. This process isn’t merely conceptual; it’s a potent tool for cultivating a resilient and disciplined military force.
A Fundamental Shift
Leaders have often focused on eliminating undesirable traits or behaviors. Instead of telling subordinates what not to do, leaders should reinforce and provide explicit examples of the positive, desirable traits. This shift is fundamental to creating an affirmative vision that Soldiers can rally behind, providing a tangible unity and purpose for the organization. Leaders should seek to present the positive, affirming traits during formations, briefings, and training. Leaders can also look to their own history to determine relevant stories, pictures, or other artifacts that support the archetype.
To construct robust archetypes, leaders have numerous sources from which to draw: the Army Values, Soldier’s Creed, unit histories, and historical figures. These guiding lights can not only illuminate the traits defining the archetypical Soldier but also serve as a beacon for the unit’s identity. The process extends beyond the mere selection of traits; it involves a nuanced consideration of the unit’s current culture and history. Leaders must discern what traits their unit needs to embody based on the current assessment and the organization’s mission.
The creation and perpetuation of the archetype require continuous effort and commitment from leaders at all levels. It is not a one-time endeavor but an ongoing process of refinement and adaptation. Leaders must remain attuned to the evolving needs of the unit, the changes in the operating environment, and the dynamics of the broader military landscape.
Leaders should seek the potent impact of positive archetypes by defining a set of traits that embody the essence of an ideal Soldier in their unit. When delineating the traits of your archetype, leverage your Soldier’s pre-existing self-image, grounded in general American values and indoctrinated Army values.1 Common traits for your archetype may include Discipline, Honor, Courage, Loyalty, Selflessness, Grit, and Resilience. Each trait plays a vital role in shaping individuals into reliable team members, establishing trust, navigating challenges with courage, fostering camaraderie, cultivating a selfless ethos, driving perseverance, and ensuring the ability to rebound from setbacks.
Finding a Role Model
Once you have identified the traits or values of your archetype based on your units’ requirements, it’s time to find the right role model. While historical leaders like Alexander the Great, Scipio Africanus, Frederick the Great, or Napoleon Bonaparte may be captivating, they might not necessarily form the right archetype for your unit. American leaders such as George Washington, Robert Smalls, George Patton, Audie Murphy, Matthew Ridgway, Colin Powell, or Norman Schwarzkopf are more fitting, while Soldiers or Leaders who served in your unit emerge as the best role models. This approach allows leaders to ascribe the positive traits of the role model to the unit.
The Soldier archetype is a construct and need not be fully tethered to reality. While it may be important to recognize the flaws of the real hero, we are seeking to leverage the mythological aspect of the model. Leaders can explore alternative avenues to using a historical role model, such as co-opting the unit’s mascot. Many common unit monikers, like Apache or Gladiators, lend themselves seamlessly to adaptation as archetypes, given the likely alignment of traits and virtues.
Leaders, as custodians of the archetypical Soldier, find themselves at the forefront of an ongoing narrative. Open discussions about both personal successes and failures in striving to achieve the archetype make the archetype concrete and tangible. Simultaneously, leaders should leverage the unit’s rich history to identify role models that may embody aspects of the archetype.2 Leaders can affect a positive culture change by building an archetype, connecting it to the unit’s identity, and affirming the positive values or traits.
Champion the Archetype
Beyond defining traits and identifying role models, leaders must proactively champion positive activities and experiences aligned with the archetype. The creation of unit events or activities, such as movie nights, can serve as a powerful means to reinforce the chosen archetypical traits. Unit formations become a strategic platform for promoting positive events, such as MWR-sponsored hiking trips, fostering a culture centered on affirmative actions. Instead of instructing your Soldiers not to harass others, consider emphasizing the importance of treating others with respect and outlining expectations for bystander intervention. By frequent reinforcement of the archetype, new Soldiers become indoctrinated and the positive archetype is impressed upon them.
Leaders should run professional development aligned with the archetype, emphasizing the importance of cultivating leaders who embody the desired traits. Mentoring programs are tailored to guide aspiring leaders in their journey to becoming the archetypical Soldier. Through open discussions, feedback sessions, and shared experiences, leaders at all levels contribute to the continuous evolution of the archetype.
As a Company Commander, my historian was charged with researching through our unit historical records for accounts of Soldiers from 1941 to 1994 that embodied the values of the Gladiator Company. Accounts included Soldiers that received commendations during World War II and Soldiers that saved the lives of civilians involved in a car accident in garrison. These accounts were match to pictures and posted throughout our company area and barracks. This connected my Soldiers to a rich history of service and provide them models to emulate.
Leaders should also seek to connect with Soldiers where they spend their time. Many Leaders use official unit or position social media accounts to amplify positive messages and reinforce archetypes. This is an exceptionally powerful tool for connecting with your Soldiers and reinforcing when they embody the archetype. Units have effectively used social media accounts to promote Soldiers that aligned with unit values. In one example, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Commander highlighted a newly arrived Soldier and her “competiveness” and “desire to better herself.” This example reinforces positive attributes and provides others a tangible image of Soldiers that are living up to the unit’s archetype.
As leaders embrace the challenge of crafting and embodying the archetype, they contribute to their unit’s legacy, creating a lasting impact that extends far beyond the immediacy of their command. The archetype becomes a living, breathing entity within the organization, shaping the mindset and behaviors of each member.
Guiding the Future
While leaders navigate the complexities of modern combat, the archetype can become a guiding light, providing a moral and ethical compass for decision-making. The right archetype can build a foundation and culture of trust and integrity. In times of adversity, the archetype can become a source of inspiration and motivation, reminding every member of their commitment to the ideals that define the unit.
As military institutions grapple with the imperative to adapt to contemporary challenges, the archetype becomes an essential element of organizational resilience. Units that have ingrained positive archetypes into their culture are better equipped to navigate change, overcome adversity, and maintain commitment to the mission. The archetype becomes a strategic asset in times of transformation, guiding units through challenges.
Crafting a unit archetype transcends a mere conceptual exercise. It manifests as a formidable tool for cultivating a culture that is not only resilient but disciplined. Officers and NCOs, standing at the precipice of key leadership positions, are presented with a unique opportunity to redefine the legacy of their leadership. Embracing and modeling the archetype lays the groundwork for units that excel not only in mission success but also in fostering a positive and enduring culture.
The rekindling of the “Be All You Can Be” spirit serves as a poignant reminder of the perpetual need for growth and development, a sentiment deeply ingrained in military leadership. Leaders, as torchbearers of the archetype, find themselves at the helm of guiding their organizations towards excellence, ensuring they become not just all they can be but surpass their perceived limits. As we step into the New Year, resolve to be deliberate in the creation, promotion, and embodiment of a positive archetype.
About the Author:
Beau Wasson is an active duty major currently serving as the S3 for the 130th Engineer Brigade in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent those of the United States Army, the Department of Defense, or the United States Government.
Endnotes:
1. “The Army Values,” US Army, accessed December 26, 2023, https://www.army.mil/values/index.html.
2. Beau Wasson, “The History of a Great Culture,” accessed December 28, 2023, https://fromthegreennotebook.com/2020/02/24/the-history-of-a-great-culture/.