True Leadership in the Crucible of Courage

From the very first lines of the story, it becomes clear: a true colonel is not merely a superior, but a leader whose personal example and high standards inspire his subordinates. The introduction emphasizes his confidence and charisma, which manifest even in unconventional and symbolic tests, as he demands that his soldiers prove their courage in the most unexpected situations. Instead of empty words, he asks direct questions, requiring genuine demonstrations of bravery—an approach that leaves no room for compromise or doubt about each soldier’s valor.

The main part of the narrative demonstrates that the awarding of a golden saber for bravery symbolizes not only the commander’s personal courage but also his ability to assess the quality and readiness of his subordinates for decisive actions. This method of selection, where every test becomes a trial of character, reveals true leadership: there is no room for concessions or leniency, only a demand for strictness, resoluteness, and a sincere interest in the development of the soldiers’ personal qualities. This confirms that in critical moments, personal bravery is the cornerstone of effectiveness and success in combat, transforming a genuine colonel into a role model.

In conclusion, this vivid example shows us how essential personal bravery and the willingness to prove decisiveness in practice truly are. The story of this hero stands as living proof that a true leader does more than issue orders—he shapes his people through real trials, demonstrating the readiness to lead even in the toughest situations.

By what characteristics can one determine that the colonel is both genuine and competent?

According to the story, a genuine and competent colonel proves himself not only as a charismatic and confident commander but also as a person who values personal courage and tests it in practice. In the described episode (Source: 1235_6172.txt), he is portrayed as a “cheerfully authoritative superior and official,” awarded a golden saber for bravery. His approach to selecting soldiers for critical tasks is based not on empty words, but on a concrete test of character: he gathers his team, asks them a direct question about courage (“Who is the bravest? Who will back up the senior?”) and demands that they prove their resolve even in such a simple yet symbolic act as tugging his mustache. This action clearly shows that a true colonel evaluates his subordinates based on the outcomes of real tests—there is no room for cowardice or insecurity, as he demands courage and selflessness from his men.

Supporting citation(s):
"— When I transferred from the Caucasus, we had a colonel, a cheerfully authoritative superior and official. He had a golden saber for bravery. ... Who is the bravest? Who will back up the senior? Someone like Sergeyov, perhaps, or Ivanov. ..." (source: 1235_6172.txt)