Episode
57: Alcoholics Unanimous
Frank Burns: There’s
just no question, you’re alcoholics! You drink constantly.
Hawkeye: Alright,
we drink. We drink so we can get through these lousy, stinking 48 hour days.
Trapper: We’re
cold, filthy, lonely.
Hawkeye: Scared,
bored, tired!
Acting commanding
officer, Frank Burns, declares prohibition at the 4077th in response
to the growing alcohol use in camp. His
dismantling of the ‘still’ and his one man campaign to outlaw alcohol causes
havoc among the personnel as they try anything to sneak a drink.
How do you cope with
the demands of leadership? For some, a
helpful escape comes in the form of a good book or watching a favourite
movie. For others, engaging in exercise
and physical activity relieves the tension.
However, statistically it is well documented that many seek relief from the
stress and demands of leadership through the consumption of alcohol. While this may bring temporary relief, health
experts believe that alcohol can actually exacerbate stress and diminish long
term capacity to cope under pressure. In
the context of leadership this can be dangerous! Trying to deal with the stressors that come
with the territory through any substance use not only impacts our ability to
personally cope with the challenges but risks our capacity to professionally
lead others through the same challenges.
Alcohol may ‘mask’ the reality but cannot ‘mitigate’ the responsibilities
of leadership. Leaders must build
healthy strategies and networks to effectively ‘manage’ this space.
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