Observations from 4 different farewell events in the Swiss Armed Forces – the commonality is modesty and camaraderie. Spot the side notes.
The end of the year is the time of farewell events. Those who change jobs or retire see their colleagues for the last time, and their superiors thank them for all their work.
If you lead a small team, farewell events might be a small thing. If you’re a C-Suite executive or a public figure, they might be big and prestigious — or not.
As an active reserve officer in the Swiss Armed Forces, I went to quite a few farewell events this year, for two reasons: First, I changed functions within the Swiss Armed Forces myself. And second, a leadership transition at the very top of the Swiss Armed Forces took place.
Having attended two farewell events due to my own transition, and two events of top generals leaving the service, let’s look at some cultural elements of such events.
Modesty
I admit it, I’m a simple mind. I’m a countryside kid, happy with little. That’s why I always felt at home in the Swiss Armed Forces — they are built on modesty and camaraderie.
Military ceremonies in our country are simple and modest, too. The passing of the flag and the national anthem are the formal parts, and the thank-you speeches leave room for personality. Presents — if given at all — are usually small and symbolic. That was the case for my own farewell event, and it was the case for the farewell events of the top generals leaving the service at the end of the year.
What I truly appreciated were the personal words in the thank-you speeches. No matter if the chief of defense or a regular active reserve officer was to depart, all the speeches I heard this year went beyond protocol and empty phrases.
That’s what camaraderie looks like. Even if you’re the minister of defence and you have to say goodbye to a top general, you treat him like a comrade. Even if you’re the commander of a division and you speak to a rank-and-file active reserve officer who leaves the service after many years, your words are personal and heartfelt.
Ego Derailments
It would be too good to be true if there weren’t any derailed egos in the rank and file of the Swiss Armed Forces. Alas, derailed egos aren’t a problem of the Swiss Armed Forces; unfortunately, it happens in almost all large organizations.
Back to the Swiss Armed Forces. How did some egos shimmer through in the farewell events I described above?
In one case, an inappropriate, extravagant present was given. In another case, a covert afterparty was organized — although treated as a secret, everybody knew it would take place.
Conclusion
Although the ego derailments described above are negligible in a wider context, they left a hollow aftertaste.
After many years in a leadership position, why do you want your ego to shine one last time on the finish line? Why not finish on a high note, with everybody keeping you in the best of their memories?
