Lessons from the Battlefield

By Lt Col Rajesh Sharma (Retd)

The battlefield teaches lessons no classroom ever can. My years in the Indian Army were a journey through resilience, responsibility, and relentless change. I learned that leadership is not about control — it’s about trust, and courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to act despite it.

I still remember my early days as a young officer. The terrain was harsh, the situations unpredictable. There were moments of exhaustion, fear, and loss — but also camaraderie, laughter, and shared pride in serving something larger than oneself. Each soldier stood not as an individual, but as part of a greater fabric of purpose.

During one particularly difficult operation, I witnessed how small acts of humanity sustain us. A soldier offering his last sip of water to another, a word of humour in the middle of uncertainty — these gestures became lifelines. Over time, I learned that true leadership is built not in moments of glory but in quiet, unseen choices: staying calm under fire, listening more than commanding, and holding faith when the situation turns dark.

As I transitioned to civilian life, I realized those same principles guided me again. Whether it was leading teams in a corporate environment or managing complex projects, I found that the discipline, adaptability, and empathy cultivated in uniform had prepared me to navigate ambiguity and change with steadiness.

Reflection
The Army taught me to see people not through their ranks or roles, but through their resilience. Every challenge, every setback, carries within it a lesson on grace under pressure. My service shaped me to keep learning — and to lead not by power, but by presence.

ABCEL Perspective
Every veteran carries with them an inner compass shaped by service — one that guides them through uncertainty with quiet assurance. Through stories like Rajesh’s, we are reminded that the essence of leadership lies not in hierarchy, but in humanity. Veterans bring that depth and steadiness into every workspace they step into.