The Centre for Army Leadership Podcast

Episode 42 - Cognitive Diversity in Teams - Brigadier Jaish Mahan

In this episode we speak to Brigadier Jaish Mahan, who commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in 1994 and has served in roles spanning the medical profession. He has deployed on seven operational tours, including Kosovo, Sierra Leone, the Iraq war and Afghanistan three times. Brigadier Mahan has been an Army Reservist since his transition from the Regular Army in 2016, and was Deputy Commander (Reserves) 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, before taking up his current position as Deputy Commander (Reserves) 1st UK Division. 

 

Drawing from his experiences, Brigadier Mahan emphasised the importance of consistent and stable values and highlighted integrity as the pre-eminent one, due to the importance of creating trust between leaders and their teams. He also comments on how a leadership intervention can be pivotal in altering the dynamic of a team and the situation, and how establishing relationships with teams wider than your own, early on, can increase support later. He acknowledges the power of facilitating cognitive diversity in teams, allowing individuals and teams to find their own way using empowered delegation - a concept that the British Army recognises as Mission Command. 

Episode 41 - The Sporting Edge: Building High Performing Teams with Jeremy Snape

In this episode we speak to former England cricketer, coach and now performance psychologist, Jeremy Snape. Jeremy's cricketing and coaching success at the highest levels proceeded a career which has branched out into performance psychology in other sports and the business world to. He offers a captivating perspective on how leadership is about doing the right thing, which is well aligned to the Army's perspective of leadership, grounded in our Values and Standards. Jeremy's moment of inspiration, driving him on to the path of leadership development and performance psychology actually came from a moment of failure on his part, from a mistake on a single ball during a high-profile match. Jeremy also spoke about the value of when to analyse difficult moments and when to rely on instinct to get you through, and the skill involved in recognising which approach to use when - something the Army recognise as situational leadership; matching the right leadership style and skills to the people that need leading in a particular moment.

 

To follow Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jeremysnape Explore Sporting Edge: www.sportingedge.com                                          For his podcast: https://shorturl.at/iKPS3 

Episode 40 - Moral Terrain Coaching & Empathy with US Army Major Ben Ordiway & Lt Colonel Kevin Cutright

In this episode, we speak to US Army Major Ben Ordiway and Lt Colonel Kevin Cutright, based at the United States Military Academy at Westpoint. We discuss their developing concepts of Moral Terrain Coaching and how to consider empathy towards our adversary to gain an operational advantage. Both concepts are fundamentally important when the stakes are high, and for leaders to make time to engage with, train and practice the practical execution of morals, ethics and empathy if we are to prevail against our enemies, but also to protect our own forces. At its most basic level, there can be positive tactical advantages gained from being increasingly empathetic towards adversaries by understanding and anticipating them better, and being able to defeat them in more nuanced ways. 

Episode 39 - Leading Through Addiction with Tony Adams MBE

In this episode, we speak to Tony Adams MBE, a football icon renowned for his remarkable contributions to Arsenal and the England national team. Tony's career spans playing at the pinnacle of the sport, where he not only showcased his prowess on the field but also in his captaincy for England. Beyond his playing days, he undertook a coaching and managerial journey that transcended international borders.

Yet, among the triumphs in both playing and management, we delve into the poignant moments of Tony's life - specifically, his challenges with alcohol addiction and mental health. Our discussion navigates the complexities of Tony's leadership approach, both on the pitch and throughout his personal life. We examine how he effectively managed the relentless pressures inherent in leading at the highest echelons of the sport, offering a profound insight into the resilience required to navigate such a demanding and spotlighted career.

Episode 38 - Strategic Command with General Sir James Hockenhull, KBE, ADC Gen

In this episode, our host Colonel Henry Llewellyn-Usher speaks with Commander UK Strategic Command, General Sir James (Jim) Hockenhull, KBE, ADC Gen. General Jim commissioned into the Intelligence Corps in 1986 and has extensive operation experience across the globe. His Staff experience includes role at the UK Ministry of Defence, and at the US Command and General Staff College. He has extensive experience working in and with multinational forces. He was Chief of Campaign Plans in Headquarters Multinational Force Iraq, and Chief Plans at Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) and subsequently deployed to Afghanistan. On promotion to Brigadier in 2009, he assumed the role of Director Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) at Army Headquarters, and in Sep 2011 he returned to the Ministry of Defence as Head Military Strategic Planning. In June 2013, he was promoted to Major General, and deployed to Kabul as Director of the Ministry of Defence Advisory Group, before taking up his post as Director Cyber Intelligence and Information Integration in Mar 2015. In Dec 2018, General Jim assumed the appointment of Chief of Defence Intelligence on promotion to Lieutenant General. In 2022 General Hockenhull was appointed Commander UK Strategic Command.

Episode 37 - Wearing Responsibilities Lightly with Lieutenant General Ian Cave, CB

In this episode, we speak to Lieutenant General Ian Cave CB, as he reflects on his imminent departure as Commander Home Command.

General Cave speaks about how he views leader development as a whole-career endeavour, and how his early leadership lessons continue to impact on his leadership style today. He speaks about the importance of self-awareness, and the ability to adjust his leadership style to the varied situations he has found himself in as a military commander. He also speaks about the strengths of young people in the Army today, and how he welcomes both the expectations they have of their leaders, and their modern approach to how they apply their own leadership styles.

General Cave notes the spirit of openness and the value of welcoming challenge in a leadership approach as a great start point, but that this needed to be routinely practiced and rewarded within the team if it is to become genuinely effective. He also shares his view that humility was the most preeminent trait in great leadership, and that humour, of the right nature, and at the right time, can go a long way in lifting the morale of a team under pressure.

Finally, as he describes how it felt to be leading the military contribution to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, and His Majesty King Charles III's coronation, he fell back on the value of wearing responsibilities lightly and using the Army's Values and Standards as the foundation for getting things right when under pressure.

Episode 36 - Managing the Army’s Leadership Talent with Brigadier James Cook OBE Phd

In this episode we speak to Brigadier James Cook OBE, who commissioned into the Royal Artillery (RA) in 1995. He has served most of his Regimental Duty in 29 Commando Regiment RA and commanded 105 Regiment RA. He completed the Combat Arms Fighting Systems Course at the Royal College of Military Sciences in 1999, and has instructed soldiers in training as well as being a Company Commander at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

As a member of the General Staff, he has focused on the future of warfare as Assistant Head of Concepts in Army HQ, been the Assistant Head of Career Management of the General Staff in the Army Personnel Centre, and is now Director of the work that is developing the future of the Army's personnel and talent management: Programme CASTLE.

He is also the Chairman of Army Rugby Union and a member of the Army Football Union Board, being appointed an OBE in 2016 for services to Army sport. He is also Chair of the RA historical committee, and the chair of both a Governors' and Parent Teachers' Association. He completed his Phd in 2020 on how the British Army transformed during the first World War.

Episode 35 - Leading the British Army with Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, KCB, CBE, DSO

In this episode we speak to the Chief of the General Staff (CGS), General Sir Patrick Sanders, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen. Commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets (RGJ) in 1984, he served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Bosnia, before commanding the 2nd Battalion RGJ in 2005, where he managed their transition to become the 4th Battalion the Rifles, deploying with them to Iraq in 2007. In 2009, he commanded 20th Armoured Brigade, a role in which he deployed to Afghanistan to command Task Force Helmand in 2011. Subsequently, he served as the Chief of Defence Staff's Liaison Officer to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2012, later becoming Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations) in the UK Ministry of Defence. Following his command of the 3rd (UK) Division in 2015, General Patrick assumed the role of Commander Field Army in 2016. He later took command of Joint Force Command (now Strategic Command) in 2019 and, in June 2022, became Chief of the General Staff and professional head of the British Army.

Episode 34 - Leading the Army Special Operations Brigade with Brigadier Rob Hedderwick

In the latest edition of the Centre for Army Leadership Podcast, we are joined by the Commander of the Army Special Operations Brigade, Brigadier Rob Hedderwick. Brigadier Rob talks to us about his role leading the brigade and their role in delivering persistent military assistance around the world. He talks to us about the democratisation of command and decision making within the brigade, highlighting how junior leaders are empowered and trusted to guide senior decision-making at the one and two start levels. To enable this, he highlights how leaders within the Ranger units must not only have the basic military skills to operate at reach, but they must also have the 'soft skills' to help build trust and relationships with partners from different cultures. More broadly, Brigadier Rob speaks to us about his personal leadership philosophy and the importance he places on not equating leadership with rank or position, instead valuing the collective experience and thoughts of a team.

A fascinating insight from the Commander of the Army Special Operations Brigade.

Episode 33 - Strategy, Teamship and Mental Health with Alastair Campbell

In this week’s episode, we speak to Alastair Campbell, a well regarded journalist, author, strategist, and broadcaster. He is best known for the roles he held during Tony Blair’s leadership of the labour party. Alastair was a central figure during Mr. Blairs time as prime minister, he was the Downing Street Press Secretary, Director of Communications and the Labour party's Campaign Director for the 2005 United Kingdom general election. In the episode, Alastair discusses strategy, leadership and teamship and unpacks these three factors by relating them to his own experiences in Downing street and as a writer. Alastair also talks openly about the impact of mental health and how pressure can become all consuming; highlighting how one needs to remove themselves from the work bubble to de-stress and detoxify. Finally, he speaks about the need to have a defined objective that guides your decisions and motivates the team.