The Burden of Respect?

Question

This question may sound conceded, but I promise its not:

I am in the military and as a result I work with a lot of people my own age. And no disrespect to them but I stand above them in most aspects. I am the most skilled on our equipment (communication electronics), a strong workhorse, in the best shape, a homeowner, have a beautiful wife, get more recognition and awards etc. etc.
Anyway the guys I work with really look up to me, as they have told me. They look to me for guidance, they follow me and ask me to counsel them.
Which makes me proud and flattered; but does anyone else hate the burden that puts on you? I can never make the smallest mistake, because they are watching. Whenever there is a difficult situation they ask me what to do, whenever there is a physical competition I have to win. The list goes on and on.
Its not like I outrank these guys, were all the same pay grade.

So my question is, do you think its better to be the best or to skate by?

Answer 1

It's not the same thing, but I think I can understand a little where you're coming from:
I tend to be a good listener, and, as a result, a lot of people come to me with their problems. I appreciate the fact that people feel they can trust me and confide in me, but it can become overwhelming at times.
I feel it is better to continue to do your best, but keep in mind that it is, in fact, not a competition (haha, unless it IS a competition, then you want to win for yourself). That is for you to remember as well. When you are in a physical competition, is everybody else telling you that you need to win? Or are you telling yourself that you need to win to prove to everyone else that you still are the best? What will happen if people don't recognize you as the best anymore? How will that affect you?
It's okay to make mistakes. Even the best of the best make mistakes sometimes. We are human. It is bound to happen. And your colleagues should realize that you cannot be the best all the time; maybe you are being a little too hard on yourself. Maybe you feel like you have to be the best for them because you don't want to let them down.
I sometimes wish that people didn't always come to me with their problems, but, at the same time, it is part of who I am and what people love about me. I don't really want to change that. Yes, sometimes it can be burdensome, and it can even affect me emotionally, but I actually do love to be able to help when I can. If I can't help, then I can't help. It doesn't keep people from feeling as though they can talk to me.
Likewise, you don't have to be the best all the time. Your peers will not (or should not) not look down on you for it if you are not the best every time.
That said, I think you should continue to be the best at whatever you are the best at. But do it for yourself, not for your peers. Do not skate by just to alleviate yourself of the pressure of what they think of you. Because they will still respect you, even if you aren't at the tippy-top.

and haha I just have to say that, at first glance, I thought it said "we're all the same gay parade"

Answer 2

I think it is best to be a team --most important -- your life might be in their hands someday. If in the military do not skate by -- please -- that will cause death to someone someday -- so always do your best!! Never be ashamed if your best is better than others that just means you can accomplish more and make more of a difference. This may even give them something or someone to strive for.

I don't think of it as a burden but as a privilege. We all make mistake but must learn from them or we are doomed to repeat those mistakes. It isn't what we say -- but what we do...

Answer 3

well man your in the military and you should know personally that its all about leading and following so to answer your question you must look upon your self and ask your self what is it you want to do having people looking to you is a wonderful thing but you must take into thought about the heavy burden you will place upon your shoulders doing this they will be trusting you and if you let them down once you will no longer have their trust so are you able to take the responsibility

Answer 4

Whenever you fail to "TRY" to achieve your best, you are a failure. You may not succeed, but the possibility of failure is no excuse for not trying. If you're a leader, you should always do your best, regardless of the task. And, a good leaders always credits those under him for his success, and accepts any failure as his own.

Answer 5

i agree, your question does sound conceded, but its NOT conceded at all.
Well, since you're their mentor in a way, you should also teach them, that you are also HUMAN. No human is all good...we all have our weakness...
Yeah, i can imagine how much strain this can put on u...cause our humanity allows us to commit mistakes...but in your given situation...mistakes are hardly accepted, not even fathomed sometimes...
Just be yourself, and live your life without thinking of what or how they will think...if you were able to do that .....and allow yourself to make your human errors, accept them, and move on....you won't only be their role model, but mine aswell....
Good luck

Answer 6

it's good to be the best but sometimes it's hard carrying that burden. you just have to let them know you're the best with faults.

Answer 7

I feel you need to be the best.

Answer 8

keep being the best....be all you can be....