Even if you're a student of history, this one may have flown under the radar.
Back in 1964 there was a confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia. In his book One Crowded Hour, Tim Bowden tells about an incident that happened in Borneo during this time.
A group of Gurkhas from Nepal were asked if they would be willing to jump from transport planes into combat against the Indonesians should the need arise. The Gurkhas had the right to give the request a "thumbs down" because they'd never been trained as paratroopers. Bowden quotes cameraman Neil Davis' account of the story:
"The Gurkhas usually agreed to anything, but on this particular day they provisionally rejected the plan. But the next day one of their NCOs sought out the British officer who had made the request and said they had discussed it further and would be prepared to jump under certain conditions.
"What are they?" the British officer queried.
"The Gurkhas told him they would jump if the land was marshy or reasonably soft with no rocky outcrops, because they were inexperienced in falling. The officer considered this and noted that the drop zone would almost certainly be over the jungle. No rocky outcrops there. So, they would surely be all right. Anything else?
"Actually, yes," answered the Gurkhas. They wanted the plane to fly as slowly as possible and no more than a hundred feet high. At that point, the British officer explained that the planes always did fly as slowly as possible when dropping troops, but to jump from 100 feet was just impossible. The parachutes would not open in time from that height.
"'Oh,' the Gurkhas replied, 'it's OK then. We'll jump with parachutes anywhere. You didn't mention parachutes before!"
What does it take to have, or receive, Gurkha-like commitment and courage?
This is a great story and a great question!
Posted by: Susan Mazza | October 26, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Great story Steve!
Posted by: Amy Wilson | October 26, 2009 at 08:41 PM
LOL, They were really going for a parachute-less jump. That is strong commitment indeed.
Posted by: Jay Self @ Goal Setting Worksheet | October 27, 2009 at 04:23 AM
Hi Steve,
Two main themes to get that strong commitment:
1. Shared accountability towards a common goal.
2. Strong identity to mission or reason for existence for the Gurkha team
That's where a higher level of commitment is gained.
Posted by: Joe Raasch | October 27, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Just a thought...do you really want this kind of commitment?
I mean, if they seriously thought they didn't have parachutes?!?...I'm not sure I would want anyone on my team blindly committing to what gets asked of us, especially when it often makes as much sense as jumping from a plane with no parachute :)
Posted by: Matthew Barcomb | October 27, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Susan, Amy, & Jay,
Thanks for checking in on this one!
Posted by: Steve Roesler | October 28, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Joe,
I think the issue in this case strongly reflects your #2: reason for existence. While this example might seem crazy to some, it is not to those who have made that kind of commitment for deeply-held beliefs.
Posted by: Steve Roesler | October 28, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Hey, Matthew,
I'd probably hesitate in a business situation and wonder, "Why isn't anyone asking any questions?"
In this situation--and similar ones--deeply held beliefs and values have prompted a commitment to pay the price.
Posted by: Steve Roesler | October 28, 2009 at 12:47 PM