Keywords: Word, Freedom, Slavs, Glory, Balkan, Montenegro
Montenegrins and Freedom: How They Are Connected
Freedom (freedom of will, sometimes simply "will") is one of the most important concepts, deeply rooted in the consciousness of every person. For Montenegrins, as well as for many Balkan peoples, for Slavs, freedom has a particularly sacred meaning. In the Serbian language, the word "sloboda" (freedom) derives from the root "slo-" or "slovo" (word), which points us toward the idea of freedom as a sign, symbol, or expression encompassing life in its entirety. It is not just an abstract concept, but one that includes harmony between a person's will, feelings, thoughts, and actions.
Four centuries of heroic struggle by Montenegrins for freedom perfectly demonstrate the alignment of will, feelings, words, and deeds in the pursuit of balancing the inner and outer freedom of the individual and the collective. Let’s try to understand what lies behind this concept and why it is so important to us.
Freedom as a Conscious Act and Expression of Inner Essence
The words of Fyodor Dostoevsky, well-known to many: "Freedom is not in being not restrained, but in mastering oneself," present an important question about the nature of freedom. According to Dostoevsky, freedom is not arbitrariness, nor the ability to do whatever one pleases without self-control. It is rather the capacity for conscious self-limitation or redirecting one's degree of freedom to channel energy toward meaningful, creative actions. This idea aligns with what freedom means in Montenegrin thought.
If we view the word "freedom" through the lens of its semantics, as a sign or symbol encompassing life in its multiplicity, we can conclude that for a Montenegrin, freedom is, above all, a responsibility for one's thoughts, actions, and will. "For a Montenegrin, not keeping a given promise would be akin to suicide," one Montenegrin explained to me, adding, "But now, it is not entirely the same." Just like notes in music, syllables in language, a person’s actions in life must be aligned and harmonious. Through their words and deeds, an individual releases their inner "self," their life energy, creating around them a spiritual atmosphere, a certain world, a symbol, a reality.
Why Is Freedom So Important to Humans?
Freedom is the foundation for self-fulfillment and self-expression. In Russian, there is the word "svojevolje" (self-will), equivalent to the Serbian "svojevlast," which in the 20th century took on a negative connotation. Yet, with good will, it can be used synonymously with the term "self-realization," a positive word in English. Freedom allows a person to discover their abilities and direct their efforts toward achieving goals close to their heart.
However, it should be noted that freedom also represents a challenge. When a person gains freedom—such as a break from duties at work or school—they are faced with the question: where to invest their energy and will? Some people need half an hour to find an answer, while others may not find it even in a whole day. This depends on how much a person remembers who they are, why they exist, and what they possess. The answers to these three questions may not always align. This illustrates well the difference between simply having the opportunity for freedom and consciously choosing to create freely.
Freedom requires awareness. It is like an impulse of will that must be directed in a certain way. Here, the association arises with the algorithmic Slavic ornaments, which represent order and the framework of ancient Slavic words. Pay attention to the dynamics of the Serbian language, to the enormous role played by the words "red" (order - there are two dozen frequently used words with the same root, related to process, order, organization, sequence, ordering, correct arrangement of things, events or actions, systematicity) and "put"(path - there are also two dozen frequently used words with the same root, related to direction in life or correctness of decisions, physical movement (road, journey), spiritual path, parallel movement through life, in technology or actions), and how many derived words come from these roots. Notice also how many forms of the verb "to be" exist (here, for example, are possible forms for the pronoun "we": smo, bismo, budemo, budimo, bili, bile, bivali, bivamo, buduci, bivajući), almost all of which are active, except for the derivative "uzbuđeni"(excited).
If a person does not understand how and why they are using their freedom, it can become destructive or useless. This is reminiscent of the ancient wisdom: "He is not free who can do everything, but that who knows what he wants and how to achieve it is the one." In this sense, freedom encompasses the energy of intellect and the impulse of will, directed toward the word, action, and creation. The word(slovo) creates for glory(slava). Those who do this are Slavs, or Slovenes. The author of the text takes the stance that the Illyrians were the original inhabitants of the Balkans who were incorporated into the Roman prefecture of Illyricum and Christianized in the early centuries, while the Slavs were those who remained outside the Roman Illyrian prefecture, spreading to the East and North, and were Christianized later. The unity of the Illyrians and Slavs is indicated by the shared symbols preserved unaltered from pre-Christian times to the present.
Free Management Style
When we talk about the free management style, especially in the context of Montenegro, we can observe some key aspects:
Trust in others. A free management style often involves trust and respect toward the team. It’s important to understand that freedom is not only the right to personal autonomy but also the ability to grant that freedom to others. A successful Montenegrin leader does not impose strict rules but rather inspires their employees to think and make decisions independently. This style helps develop people’s creative abilities and strengthens the spirit in the collective, as in a set of individuals creating in a unified spirit.
Responsibility. Freedom is inseparable from responsibility. A leader in a free management style, much like a Montenegrin in general, understands that every decision and every action carries consequences. They are focused on long-term results and are ready to take responsibility for the choices of their team. Observe how Montenegrins drive on narrow mountain roads—relaxed, but very careful and aware. It’s a paradoxical combination, acquired through hundreds and thousands of years of a complex history.
Flexibility and adaptability. Montenegrins, due to their culture and history, are used to challenges and changes. In the free management style, this reflects in the ability to quickly adapt to changes without losing direction. A free-style manager is not afraid of change; they see it as an opportunity for growth.
Communication. The word has special significance in Montenegrin culture. In a free management style, communication is the foundation of everything. "Agreed" is an important word for Montenegrins. Open dialogue between the leader and the team helps solve problems and achieve goals.
Freedom and mistakes. The history of the Balkans is full of examples of how a strong desire for freedom can lead to mistakes. The example of Montenegrins accepting Stalin as a liberator shows that sometimes the pursuit of freedom can be blind. People striving to rid themselves of one yoke can fall under another if they don’t understand the true nature of their freedom. History is such that Montenegrins have deeply embraced the slogans of freedom, equality, and brotherhood, which matched their aspirations, but refused to believe that they were being deceived to such an extent that the "Goli Otok" camp was mostly filled with Montenegrins (according to Montenegrins), and was considered a camp for communist Stalinists (Miloradović, 2022). Montenegrins ended up there only about 70 years after the end of their 400-year resistance to the Muslim Turks for freedom and Orthodoxy. They ended up in the camp because of their desire to express themselves openly and freely, sincerely but naively believing in Stalin’s conscience.
To avoid repeating similar mistakes, it’s important to teach the youth awareness when it comes to issues of freedom. Freedom is not just external independence, but also internal responsibility. Detailed and competent responsibility. Montenegrins are a people who value their independence and pride themselves on their traditions, but they must be aware that true freedom cannot be brought from outside. It must be cultivated within every person, every nation.
Love for freedom among Montenegrins: how to explain it to adolescents and students
To explain the love for freedom of Montenegrins to adolescents and students, it’s important to start with the basics. Freedom is the ability to make a choice, but it is also the responsibility for that choice. It’s not just external independence, but also the inner strength that allows a person to remain true to their words and principles, even when circumstances are unfavorable.
The example of Montenegrins is an example of a people who have fought for their freedom for centuries. But history also teaches us that freedom requires awareness and understanding. If we strive for freedom just for the sake of it, we might make mistakes and choose the wrong path. True freedom is the ability to govern oneself, one’s desires, and emotions, to channel one’s strengths into creation, not destruction. Give wild emotions a name, and you will gain control over them. This is the essence of Orthodox repentance.
Free management style, like love for freedom, is based on awareness. It’s important not only to have the right to freedom but also to know how to use it, understanding your goals and the consequences of your actions. Montenegrins, like any other people, should strive for such freedom that not only allows them to choose but also helps them creatively build a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
In this way, freedom for a Montenegrin is not only the ability to act at one’s own will but also a conscious expression of one’s will, intellect, and emotions in harmony with the world around them.
What it means to be Slavic
Considering that Slavs use the same signs—words, they can reach agreements and coexist while remaining free. What could be the interaction of Slavs in this case? Being Slavic means belonging to a vast cultural and historical space that unites nations with a common linguistic foundation, similar traditions, and spiritual values.
Slavism is not a nationality; it encompasses many peoples—from Russians and Ukrainians to Montenegrins and Serbs, and also, as it turns out, Etruscans (who called themselves Rasa (Pešić, 1995)—possibly linked to the place of Raška in the Balkans, there are also Ruthenians in Transcarpathia) and Macedonians. Yes, the Etruscans used the same signs as the Balkans—a complete match (Pešić, 1995).
Slavism is a pre-national root on which nationalities appear as branches. In this case, we are talking about signs common to all Slavs, 7,000 years old, described as the signs of the Vinča culture, whose artifacts have been found in various parts of the Balkans (Pešić, 1995), covering practically the entire territory of the Balkans. These signs still live in Slavic ornaments and the logic of language. This is not just a shared heritage, but a unique worldview shaped through the prism of language, culture, and communication among people.
One of the important aspects of Slavic identity is the language. Slavs recognize the same signs—words. Although each nation has its dialects and nuances, the foundation—words, roots, symbols—remains similar. This shared linguistic field allows Slavs to easily find mutual understanding, even when they speak different languages. Understanding here is not built only on the level of words but also on a deeper level of culture and world perception. Slavic language, as a "sign" or "symbol," becomes a bridge that unites people despite their cultural differences.
Unity and freedom in Slavic style
An interesting aspect of the Slavic worldview is the combination of unity and freedom. Slavs can agree, cooperate, and interact while remaining free and independent in their actions and views. This is not a dictate of understanding but a voluntary agreement to dialogue and interaction. Every Slavic community has its own identity and traditions, yet it acknowledges and respects the shared foundation.
This interaction can be compared to a musical symphony: each nation is a unique melody that can sound on its own but together creates harmony, enriching one another. The important moment here is that this harmony does not suppress individuality but rather helps each nation express its uniqueness while remaining free.
Interaction of Slavs in the Modern World
In the context of Slavic identity, interaction among nations can be built on principles of mutual respect and trust. History shows that Slavic peoples have experienced both conflict and cooperation for centuries. Modern understanding of Slavism offers the opportunity to reassess this heritage and build interaction based on equal dialogue.
One of the key elements of this dialogue is understanding that the freedom of one nation should not threaten the freedom of another. Slavic nations can learn from their mistakes, avoid past tragedies, and strive for mutual progress through dialogue and cooperation. This applies not only to political and economic aspects but also to cultural exchange and the support of languages and traditions.
Freedom in this context means the ability of each nation to express its individuality while being aware of its belonging to a shared cultural space. Slavic interaction in the modern world can manifest through:
Cultural exchange. Slavs can enrich each other by sharing cultural traditions, music, literature, and art. This will help preserve cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations.
Support for languages and education. The common linguistic foundation can become the basis for educational projects and knowledge exchange among Slavic countries, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation.
Political and economic cooperation. Based on mutual respect and recognition of each nation’s freedom and independence, Slavs can build strong alliances that serve the interests of all participants.
Awareness of Slavic Identity
For adolescents and students, awareness of their Slavic identity can become a source of strength and inspiration. It is important to understand that Slavs are not just nations speaking similar languages but peoples with the oldest common history and values. One of these values is freedom—both personal and collective. But this freedom does not imply isolation or closedness. On the contrary, openness is a measure of strength. Being Slavic means finding common ground with other nations while remaining true to one's traditions and principles.
Slavs can learn from each other, strengthen their relations, and find new ways of cooperation without losing their identity. This is the uniqueness of Slavic culture: it unites people while respecting their freedom and creates conditions for dialogue based on mutual understanding, not subjugation.
Freedom and Cooperation in the Slavic Style
Thus, interaction between Slavic peoples under conditions of freedom can be described as cooperation among equals, where each nation contributes uniquely to the common development. This freedom can be expressed through the desire for joint projects, preservation of cultural heritage, and the development of economic ties.
In this way, Slavic freedom is not just an internal state of a person or a nation but also the ability to interact with others while preserving one's "self." Mutual respect, language as a symbol of unity, and common cultural roots make Slavism a source of strength, capable of helping nations preserve their identity while developing deep and respectful relationships with each other. The skill of reading common, ancient signs allows people to agree on a level where freedom becomes the foundation of life. Reading the same letters allows for agreement around shared glory.
Slavic freedom is the ability to harmoniously combine personal and collective interests, acting together while remaining free and independent.
Slavic Leadership Style in Detail
The style of leadership in the modern world changes depending on the level of vigor (personal passionate energy, activity of the brain stem), exploratory activity, intuition, and the developed ability to rationalize, freely choosing the best dynamic stereotypes (for example, from the actions of Saint Sava).
The Slavic style of leadership and activity management in the modern world has unique characteristics rooted in deep historical and cultural traditions. This style can be described as a combination of collectivism, respect for spiritual values, flexibility, and adaptability. However, in modern conditions, considering personal qualities of the leader such as high vigor, exploratory activity, intuition, and the ability to rationalize, this style can evolve significantly and become more dynamic and progressive.
Basic Characteristics of the Slavic Leadership Style
Collectivism and unity. Historically, Slavs have been peoples where the community played a key role. This was reflected in leadership style: a successful leader did not strive for dictation or strict control but acted in the interest of the group, community, or nation. In Slavic tradition, a leader is not just a person who governs but someone who serves their people, much like Saint Sava, who actively participated in the spiritual development of Serbian culture.
Respect for spiritual and cultural values. Slavic leaders, from princes to spiritual guides, always relied on the deep spiritual roots of their people. "The Church is not the priest; the Church is the people," they say in Montenegro. Successful leaders were guided not only by pragmatic goals but also by values related to truth, justice, honor, and dignity.
Flexibility and adaptability. Slavs have historically lived in territories subject to external threats and changes, which developed their ability to quickly adapt to new conditions. This trait remains important in the modern world, where changes in the external environment require leaders to respond quickly and improvise intuitively, adapting to new challenges.
The Impact of High Vigor and Search Activity
Let’s now consider how the Slavic leadership style changes when a person possesses high vigor (energy of the brain stem and activity in action), exploratory activity (the drive to find solutions and new knowledge), intuition, and the ability to rationalize.
High vigor and leadership. A leader with a high level of personal energy is someone who can quickly and efficiently mobilize resources to solve tasks (Karpenko, 2011). In the Slavic context, this may be particularly expressed in a style where the leader inspires followers by personal example, much like great military and spiritual leaders did. Such a leader is not only focused on managing but also on igniting others with their passion and striving to achieve goals.
Search activity. A leader with high search or exploratory activity is inclined to research, learn, and discover new paths for development (Rotenberg, 1984). In today’s world, this is essential for successfully leading a business or public activity, as the world changes quickly, and only those actively seeking new ideas and solutions can stay ahead.
Intuition and rationalization. Slavic leadership tradition, like any other, relies on the ability to sense the moods of the people, the community, or the team. However, when a leader is intuitive but also capable of rationalizing intuitive decisions, it creates a powerful combination, enabling quick, well-founded decisions (Keirsey, 1978).
Slavic leaders, like Saint Sava, often acted intuitively, following their spiritual principles, but at the same time, they reflected and rationalized their actions, taking historical circumstances into account. Acting with talent means the highest form of pragmatism, where all actions turn to one's advantage. Talent, creativity, intuition, and the search for solutions have a common root in the sense of inner dynamic balance.
Freedom in the Choice of Dynamic Stereotypes
A leader who is capable of freely choosing dynamic stereotypes is someone who is not afraid to change strategies and approaches depending on the situation. Find the best examples and create your own dynamic stereotypes for decision-making and actions from them.
In Slavic culture, this can be expressed in the ability to retain fundamental traditional values while adapting methods and tactics to the circumstances. For example, Saint Sava, as a deeply spiritual leader, managed to rationally build relations with Byzantine authorities and achieve the autocephaly of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which was a decisive step in changing the dynamics of governing the country.
Modern Leadership
In modern conditions, the Slavic leadership style, with an emphasis on high vigor, exploratory activity, and intuition, can be particularly effective in business, social movements, and politics.
Business. In business, such a leader acts with a high level of energy, ready to take risks, but at the same time carefully plans every step. They are inclined toward innovation, exploring new markets, and introducing new technologies, while respecting the traditional values of their people. As an example, successful entrepreneurs from Slavic countries can be mentioned, who, despite globalization, continue to develop local traditions, whether in the production of traditional products or in preserving cultural heritage.
Politics. In politics, such a leader strives for innovation but relies on an intuitive understanding of the people's needs. Their activities will be aimed at harmoniously combining traditional values with modern challenges. High vigor enables them to be active on the international stage, protecting the interests of their people while remaining open to dialogue and seeking essential solutions.
Social Movements. In social movements, such a leader will be an inspirer, a person capable not only of mobilizing people for action but also of proposing new forms of interaction. Their ability to rationally approach intuitive decisions will allow them to find optimal paths for their society's development.
How to Explain This to Young People
For adolescents and students, understanding this style of leadership can be explained through the following ideas:
Be energetic and unafraid to act. It’s important to have inner energy and the desire to achieve goals. But at the same time, this energy must be directed wisely, not towards destruction, but towards creation.
Study the world around you. Don’t stop at what you’ve achieved. Successful leaders always seek new knowledge and discoveries. This allows you to stay ahead and uncover new horizons.
Trust your intuition, but always analyze. Intuition is a powerful tool, but it must be supported by a rational approach. Before making a decision, try to understand the consequences it may have.
Value your freedom, but respect others. Being free is important, but freedom should not infringe on the rights and freedoms of others. A leader who acts in harmony with their surroundings achieves greater success.
In this way, the modern Slavic leadership style, based on a high level of vigor, exploratory activity, and intuition, becomes a powerful tool for achieving goals in a world where the speed of change requires flexibility, but where respect for tradition remains the foundation of true strength.
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Ed. Karpenko M.P. Energy and Innovation (The Human Factor as the Basis for Modernization). Moscow: SSU Publishing House, 2011. 242 pages.
Keirsey, David (May 1, 1998) [1978]. Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence (1st ed.). Prometheus Nemesis Book Co. ISBN 1-885705-02-6.
Милорадовић, Г., ГОЛИ OТОК, ЊЕГОВЕ ЖРТВЕ И ЊЕГОВИ ТВОРЦИ. PUBLISHED ON 11 avgusta, 2022 https://stellapolarebooks.com/tag/goran-miloradovic/
Pešić, R., VINČANSKO PISMO I DRUGI GRAMATOLOŠKI OGLEDI. 1995. Pešić i sinovi, Beograd. https://ivoandric.no/biblioteka/Istorija/Radivoje%20Pesic%20-%20Vincansko%20pismo.pdf
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