What does camaraderie mean, exactly?

The Cambridge dictionary has defined the word “camaraderie” as “a friendly feeling toward people with whom you share an experience or with whom you work."

It’s used all over society, as an axiom for successful sports clubs, military units, or tightly-knit, cohesive business organizations.  It’s much more than just showing up for work and doing your job.  A culture of camaraderie encompasses trust, commitment, and solidarity with those who share your office space.  It’s like it says in the Little Blue Book: Rolling as an organization “People to People.”

What does Mission Multiplier mean, exactly?

Lt Col Tom Vance has called camaraderie “a powerful mission multiplier.” He goes on to say that “Camaraderie is the essence of what binds military units together, providing a cohesiveness among the individual members, which allows the unit to function effectively as a collective entity."

Given that today (the day of the Rave Review release), is the 79th anniversary of D-day, what better example of what can occur when this powerful Mission Multiplier is harnessed? Blogger and business consultant Ian Brookes writes at length about the role camaraderie played in this historic mission.  He interviews several D-day veterans and comes away with this remark: “Without camaraderie, individuals fight for recognition tearing apart that palpable connection. The sense of the D-Day veterans was that they were part of a team, and that camaraderie was what made the coastal invasion a success.”

What are key elements of camaraderie we can use to Multiply our Mission? 

1. Relationships reign supreme.

During adverse times, the relationships and general connections between its members bind them together. Hardships create strong bonds when cohesiveness and trust exist. Interaction fuels action and mental strength in the tougher moments.

2. Team planning must occur.

In the build-up to D-day, the weather was the biggest unknown and a strategic plan for contingencies had to be ironed out. Organizations that meet and plan know their role, understand their significance, and how it coincides with those around them.

3. Leave no one behind.

After his interview with D-day veterans, Brookes writes this: "Wounded and dead soldiers are carried on comrade’s backs and inside crowded vehicles to safety, or to a proper burial. Everyone counts, and everyone looks out for each other was a clear message from the veterans." Or, look at it like Danny Tritschler does in an article in this month’s issue: “We win as a team, and we lose as a team.”

4. Inspire one true, core mission.

Having a shared mission (like Creating Raving Fans) is a tremendous force for motivation. Brookes writes: "The D-Day mission was not some vague, abstract adventure, rather it was tangible, concrete, easy to understand, and internalize for all involved. While each veteran I saw interviewed had his own particular story, everyone had a common and powerful pride in what they had accomplished and in the people around them.” Do we understand our mission? 

When we do, camaraderie is a powerful Mission Multiplier.