The Centre for Army Leadership Podcast

Episode 52 - From Siege to Strategy: Leadership Lessons from General Sir Michael Rose

In this episode, we’re honoured to welcome General Sir Michael Rose KCB CBE DSO QGM, a distinguished British Army officer and renowned leader. General Rose is best known for his leadership in special forces operations, peacekeeping missions, and military strategy, with a career spanning over three decades. His notable roles include commanding the SAS during the Iranian embassy siege, playing a critical role in the Falklands War, leading UK special forces in the Gulf War, and commanding the field army. He also served as the UN Protection Force commander in the Balkans, where his leadership significantly impacted peace efforts.

A highly decorated officer, General Rose has been awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and the Distinguished Service Order for leadership. He has also received the Queen's Gallantry Medal and has been mentioned in dispatches for gallantry on operations.

In addition to his military career, General Rose is an author and an outspoken commentator on military strategy and ethics, particularly modern warfare. His leadership philosophy is grounded in leading by example and fostering cohesion within teams. He has a deep understanding of how leadership shapes success on the battlefield and beyond.

General Rose’s career includes pivotal experiences in high-pressure situations, where his decisions and leadership had lasting effects on both military and peacekeeping operations. His commitment to clarity in command structures and his focus on building strong, supportive teams in crisis situations has made him a respected figure in leadership circles, both within the military and in the civilian sector.

He is a passionate speaker on leadership, resilience, and strategy, and shares his extensive experiences to guide leaders in various fields. 

General Rose’s career continues to inspire, and his lessons on leadership are invaluable to those seeking to understand the dynamics of effective leadership under pressure.

Episode 51 - Diving into Leadership: the 2018 Tham Luang Cave Rescue with John Volanthen

We're kicking off an exciting new chapter for the Centre for Army Leadership podcast with a fresh rebrand, featuring more diverse and interesting guests and a bold new look!

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome John Volanthen, a world record holding British cave diver and expert in underground exploration and rescue. John is best known for his pivotal role in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, where he was the first to locate the trapped youth soccer team, ultimately leading their rescue.

John’s career in cave diving has seen him break records, including setting a British cave diving depth record in 2004 and being part of the team that set a world record for the longest cave penetration in Spain. But it was his involvement in the Tham Luang rescue that truly brought him international acclaim. John, alongside his dive partner Rick Stanton, was instrumental in locating and rescuing the trapped boys, navigating dangerous conditions, and leading their safe extraction.

Beyond his diving accomplishments, John is also a passionate speaker on teamwork, resilience, and leadership, sharing lessons from his high-stakes experiences. He’s an avid runner, participating in marathons and ultra-marathons, and volunteers as a scout leader, teaching young people about caving and the importance of perseverance. He’s received numerous prestigious awards, including the George Medal for bravery, the World Humane Society’s bronze, silver, and stampede medals, and the Pride of Britain Award for Outstanding Bravery. John is also the author of Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue, which recounts his experience and the lessons learned, and was adapted into the film Thirteen Lives.

Episode 50 - The Power of Inclusion with Rene Carayol MBE

In our 50th episode, temporary host Lieutenant Colonel David Love - former SO2 Leadership at the CAL speaks to internationally renowned leadership expert and author, René Carayol whose journey from Gambia to the boardrooms of global giants like Pepsi and Marks and Spencer gives him a unique perspective on leadership.

We explore René's philosophy that leadership is about energising people towards a vision, not just giving orders. René draws on his personal lessons from global figures such as the Dalai Lama to David Cameron as we delve into the power of inclusion and how it transforms performance and loyalty. René also shares personal stories illustrating how small acts of inclusion can be life-changing, discusses the importance of spotting and nurturing talent in unexpected places, and the surprising benefits of mentorship for both mentees and mentors.

Episode 49 - Apex Leadership with Professor Alexander Evans OBE

In this episode, temporary host Lieutenant Colonel David Love - former SO2 Leadership at the CAL, speaks with Professor Alexander Evans OBE, a distinguished academic and seasoned diplomat with a career spanning over two decades in both public service and academia. Currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Army Leadership, Professor Evans brings a wealth of experience and insight into the complexities of leadership at strategic levels.

We delve into the power of relationships — whether through ‘management by wandering around’ or investing in the ‘trust batteries’ of your team. Professor Evans introduces the concept of ‘Apex decision-making’, shedding light on the immense pressures and responsibilities faced by strategic leaders. He highlights the critical role of followership, encouraging leaders to foster environments where constructive challenge is welcomed and valued.

Adaptability and humility emerge as central themes in this episode. Professor Evans discusses the importance of learning from other cultures, embracing failure as a tool for growth, and remaining a lifelong learner. Effective leaders, he argues, are those who are willing to reflect, correct, and evolve throughout their journey.

This episode offers a deep exploration of the challenges and opportunities in leadership, with valuable insights for leaders across all sectors. Whether you’re navigating complex decisions or striving to build trust within your team, Professor Evans provides thought-provoking perspectives that will resonate with leaders at every level.

Episode 48 - Leadership, Parkinson’s, and an Extraordinary Adventure with Colonel (Retd) Guy Deacon CBE

In this episode, our host Lt Colonel Dean Canham OBE speaks with retired Army Colonel Guy Deacon CBE, a leader with a remarkable military career spanning over three decades. Commissioned into the Queen’s Dragoon Guards in 1985, Guy held numerous regimental and staff appointments across the globe, including commanding the Army Foundation College and supporting efforts to build the Afghan National Army. He has been awarded both an OBE and CBE in recognition of his contributions to the British Army and the international community.

 

Throughout the episode, Guy shares his reflections on leadership, emphasising the importance of observing and learning from others on one's own leadership journey. He stresses the power of leading by example and highlights that leadership is a lifelong endeavour of continuous development. Guy underscores the importance of leading people well to maximise organisational effectiveness, pointing to his personal experiences as a commanding officer and senior staff officer.

 

In a personal turn, Guy opens up about his battle with Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with over a decade ago. He explains how maintaining a positive mindset and an adventurous spirit has helped him face adversity, culminating in a remarkable 18,000-mile expedition through Africa to raise awareness for Parkinson’s. His journey is not only a testament to resilience but also an example of how leadership principles can be applied to overcome personal challenges.

 

This episode offers valuable insights into the leadership challenges faced by military leaders at all levels, as well as a deeply personal perspective on resilience and self-leadership. Guy's story is truly inspirational, reflecting the British Army's leadership definition: a blend of character, knowledge, and action to inspire others to succeed. You can learn more about his work and support his campaign for Parkinson’s awareness by visiting www.guydeacon.co.uk.

Episode 47 - Building Future Leaders with Major General Zac Stenning OBE.

In this episode, our host Lt Colonel Dean Canham OBE speaks with Major General Zac Stenning, the Director of Leadership for the British Army, and Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. With an illustrious career spanning nearly three decades, he has commanded forces from Platoon to Brigade across diverse and challenging environments, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more. His deep experience in both operational command and strategic leadership positions makes him a uniquely insightful guest.

 

Throughout the episode, General Zac shares his perspective on what lies at the core of effective leadership: good character, integrity, and the ability to turn vision into action. He discusses the vital importance of humility, the continuous pursuit of feedback, and the central role of ethics and values in leadership. General Stenning also highlights the significance of Mission Command in the British Army, stressing the need for leaders to adapt their styles to the context and human geography of any situation.

 

As we explore the responsibilities of commanding officers and soldiers alike, General Zac reflects on the privilege of leading not only soldiers but also caring for their families. He concludes by emphasising the importance of resilience, adaptability, and robust leadership skills in shaping the Army's future leaders.

 

This episode is a deep dive into the principles that underpin leadership in the British Army, offering valuable insights for leaders at all levels.

Episode 46 - Leading Without Shortcuts with Warren Gatland CBE

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Warren Gatland, the legendary Head Coach of the Welsh National Rugby team. With a remarkable career spanning both playing and coaching at the highest levels, Warren’s story is one of passion and dedication. 

 

Born in New Zealand, Warren began his rugby journey on the fields of his homeland, eventually earning a place in the All Blacks. His transition into coaching led to success across the Irish and English leagues before taking the helm of the Welsh national team from 2007 to 2019. Under his leadership, Wales secured three Six Nations Grand Slam titles and reached two Rugby World Cup semi-finals. Warren also made his mark as Head Coach of the British and Irish Lions, leading successful tours in 2013 and 2017. Now, he’s back with Wales, ready to inspire and lead the team once again.

Episode 45 - Lessons from Legacy with James Kerr

In this episode our host, Lieutenant Colonel Dean Canham OBE, speaks to bestselling author, speaker and leadership and high-performance consultant, James Kerr. 

 

James has worked with elite teams around the world, across numerous sports, businesses and military units, developing their cultures and leadership in the pursuit of success at the very highest level. He is the author of the renowned global bestseller ‘Legacy’, which delivers a unique insight into the culture that drives the worlds most successful sporting team - The New Zealand All Blacks. His forthcoming book ‘Ethos: The Legacy Playbook’ is a practical guide for putting vision into action, and purpose into practice. 

 

James is emphatic in his belief that servant, or coaching, leadership must be the norm for successful leaders, and that leaders should consider themselves a resource for the teams that they have the privilege of leading. He emphasises the significance of adaptability in leadership, that it is imperative that leaders have the ability to change depending on the context of a situation, and though leadership provides complexities, self-awareness - or ‘leading from within’ - must be the start point of any leader’s journey. 

 

He comments on the people-centric nature of leadership, recognising that the ‘soft skills’ can actually prove to be some of the hardest to put into practice, but the rewards for doing so, are great. James suggests that leaders ‘make the weather’ in a team, and where climates add up to cultures, great cultures are founded in respect, humility, accountability, and psychological safety. Like us, James believes that the development of leadership should be a continual, through-life journey, where the character of a leader is ‘mission critical’. 

Episode 44 - Leading with Love with Doctor Victoria Carr

In this episode we speak with Doctor Victoria Carr, Primary School Head Teacher, Army Reservist in the Intelligence Corps, and Centre for Army Leadership Senior Research Fellow.

Combining her experience in leading in the education sector and as a military leader, Victoria provides a unique insight into how teams can benefit from leadership skills and experiences that transcend notably different environments. We discuss the importance of personal resilience, and the part it plays in fostering and nurturing emotional and psychological safety among teams. Importantly, we discuss how the display of 'love' by leaders for their teams is not a too strong of a word to use, even in a military context.

Episode 43 - Leading in the shadows with Sir Alex Younger, Britain's Chief Spy

In this episode we speak to Sir Alex Younger KCMG, the former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. Prior to his six-year tenure as ‘C’, Sir Alex was the Head of Counter Terrorism and obtained many operational roles worldwide. His time at MI6 was preceded by a stint in the British Army - first as a private soldier and later as a commissioned officer in the Scots Guards. 

We discuss Sir Alex’s captivating and varied career experience, which gives him a unique insight into leadership across a plethora of roles and responsibilities. All of his experiences are underpinned by his advocacy for values-driven leadership as a foundation for success, with his definition of vales being ‘a common set of moral expectations’. He emphasises that trust and empowered delegation, to those that know a situation best, is fundamental to collective success, and he comments on having a bias for action, where leaders must generate and use their agency to make things happen, with self-leadership acting as a foundation to be able to do so. He anticipates a future where a combination of complementary human and technological skill will be required by leaders in order to succeed, and that speaking truth to power is, and will remain, central to the success of the UK’s intelligence agencies.