Pak Harto was known for his hard work and discipline. He had a meticulous daily routine, waking up early and arriving at the office promptly at 8:00 am. He had neat handwriting, a strong memory, and was skilled with numbers. Despite never being educated abroad, he encouraged others to study science and technology overseas.
He was always seen with a smile and rarely showed anger. When he did get angry, he would be silent and avoid talking to those he was upset with. His deep understanding of Javanese philosophy influenced his leadership style. He often shared teachings and adages from Javanese scholars with others.
One memorable moment was when he gave three pieces of advice to a military commander before an operation: “ojo lali” (do not forget lessons received), “ojo dumeh” (do not be arrogant), and “ojo ngoyo” (do not force beyond your capability). These pieces of wisdom were written on the map in the command post during military operations and were highly valued by the unit.
Despite being an avid reader and encouraging education, Pak Harto kept his decisions confidential, even from his wife. He demonstrated the importance of not solely basing leadership choices on appearance and considering other factors. His ability to explain his decisions calmly and thoughtfully was a lesson in leadership and decision-making.
