The Centre for Army Leadership Podcast

Episode 31 - Lt Gen Nick Borton DSO MBE - Leading within the Alliance

In this episode, we are joined by the Commander Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, Lieutenant General Nicholas R M Borton DSO MBE. General Nick speaks about his time in command and highlights the need for leaders at all levels to simplify complexity, highlighting that it gives junior leaders the understanding and context to execute plans. He speaks about mission command, the British Army's command philosophy, and the importance of trust as a bedrock for leadership. General Nick speaks with genuine passion and honesty about the need for organisations to train to the point of failure, as the best lessons are found in the aftermath. Finally, and as one would expect from the commander of a multinational headquarters, he speaks about the need and importance of having diverse military teams and how more often than not, the most junior person in the room may have the best idea.  

A fascinating interview with one of NATO's most senior military leaders. 

 

ARRC | Home (nato.int)

Episode 30 - The Psychology of Leadership - Dr Joanna Harvey

In this week's episode of the CAL Podcast we do a deep dive into the psychology of leadership by speaking to Doctor Joanna Harvey, the professional head of Occupational Psychology for the MOD. Joanna is a leading expert in applied psychology. Her notable areas of work include integrating women into dismounted close combat roles, support to the 'Executive Committee of the Army Board' on the psychology of strategic decision making, and the psychology of leadership in the British Army. We discussed with her the evolution of leadership theory through history and unpacked the current thinking on the importance of 'followership' and the need to harness your wider team's cognitive potential. Next, she speaks in detail about the importance of psychology in decision-making, discussing her work in helping support strategic decision-making within the British Army. Joanna speaks with real passion about the need for teams to engender a challenge culture but highlights the potential tension the British Army has in applying this philosophy due to the hierarchical and command-led structures we have. Finally, she speaks about the science of leadership and highlights that leaders' biological responses and risk thresholds will change dramatically through time and experience. 

A fascinating deep dive into the psychology of leadership. 

Episode 29 - Tim McEwan & Roderic Yapp - The Balanced Leader

In the latest episode of the Centre for Army Leadership Podcast, we are joined by Tim McEwan & Roderic Yapp. Tim and Rodd are both former military officers with operational service in a wide range of theatres. Since leaving the military, they have been working in the leadership development market, helping organisations to develop leaders by changing the way they think and behave. This interview unpacks why they believe leadership is all about behaviours and highlights the importance of self-awareness for leaders. Tim and Rodd speak with passion and sincerity about the importance of leaders understanding the context they are operating within and, most importantly, the people they are leading. As one would expect from the authors of 'The Balanced Leader,' they focus on the need to balance the needs of the task at hand with the broader team and the individual, drawing direct parallels with our very own Army Leadership Model.  

A brilliant listen for leaders at all levels. 

Episode 28 - SMA Wiremu Moffitt (NZ Army) and SMA Grant McFarlane AM (Australian Army) - ANZAC Day Special

In this special ANZAC day episode, we are delighted to talk to Sergeant Major of the New Zealand Army Wiremu Moffitt, and his counterpart Sergeant Major of the Australian Army Grant McFarlane AM. As one would expect from a podcast between three close allies, the importance of interoperability, shared values and trust between partners is discussed in length. They both talk passionately and openly about the importance of self-awareness and share with us how they both lacked this in their early careers, highlighting that young bravado masked their weaknesses as leaders. Next, they speak about the importance of culture and discuss leaders' role in shaping it. They emphasise that although leaders shape the culture, the symbiotic relationship between them means that the leader is also shaped and developed by the culture itself. Finally, they discuss the role history and traditions play in shaping today's leaders, and how, as their respective organisations move forward, they should never forget the past and those that have led before them. 

Warrant Officer Class One Wiremu Moffitt - New Zealand Defence Force (nzdf.mil.nz)

Regimental Sergeant Major – Army | Army.gov.au

Episode 27: Admiral (Retd) William McRaven: Making your bed and leading with integrity

In this week's Centre for Army Leadership Podcast episode, we have the honour to be joined by former 4* Admiral and Navy Seal Admiral William McRaven. Admiral McRaven's military career spanned an incredible 37 years, most notably commanding the Joint Special Operations Command, where he oversaw Operation Neptune Spear, the operation leading to the killing of Osama Bin Laden by Seal Team 6. In this candid interview, he speaks openly about his time on "the Teams" and shared personal anecdotes of where he failed — highlighting the importance of learning from failure, never quitting, and never shying away from the next hard decision when your previous one was wrong. In addition, Admiral McRaven speaks openly about the importance of followership and how leaders at every level in every organisation are a follower to somebody. Furthermore, he shared with us his leadership philosophy, shining a light on how "leadership is getting a job done with the people and resources you have while maintaining the reputation and integrity of the organisation." Finally, he talks about his world-famous 'make your bed' commencement address to the University of Texas and the values and thinking behind this iconic moment. 

Episode 26 - Simon Sinek: Leading within the ’Infinite Game’

In episode 26 of the Centre for Army Leadership Podcast, we are joined by world-acclaimed author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books and is best known for popularising the concept of 'WHY' in his first TED Talk in 2009, which rose to become the third most-watched on TED.com, with over 40 million views and subtitled in 47 languages. He gives us a passionate and personal insight into his inner thinking about leadership, highlighting that "leadership is nothing to do with being in charge; it is the awesome responsibility to those around you to help make them rise." Simon discusses the importance of trust, self-awareness and the need for all leaders to have a deep understanding of themselves. He tells us how the best leaders have the humility to be open about not knowing everything and transparent about their weaknesses. As a result, they engender a culture of trust and collaboration, which, in turn, drives sustainable results. Finally, he talks about how finite thinking and leadership will ultimately fail and how leaders must embrace 'infinite thinking' to achieve long-lasting success.  

• Visit the Centre for Army Leadership website: https://bit.ly/3J3djKd  
• Visit the Centre for Army Leadership YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3rn1vg1
• Visit Simon Sinek’s website: https://bit.ly/3KxsThK   

Episode 25: Cath Bishop - The Long Win - A better way to succeed

Dr Cath Bishop talks in this latest CAL Podcast episode about mastery mindset and letting go of fixed short-term goals.  A former international rower, diplomat and now leadership consultant Cath is used to high-performance environments and uses these experiences to provide her view on leadership, purpose and how to define one's role in the team.  As an Olympic silver medallist, it is interesting to hear Cath's openness to talk about feelings of failure in sport and the mindset shift that allowed her to go on to achieve her goals.  Cath discusses the importance of not always focusing on finite goals, instead encouraging us to look at what we have learned from the process and how to link that learning into the next mission or goal.  She emphasises how vital it is to give individuals the space, resources and education to nurture talent, in order to maximise their potential within high performing teams.
 
A great interview with someone who has experienced high-performance culture in many different environments focusing on the importance of leadership and how we can cultivate a new attitude to the meaning of success.

Episode 24: Will Greenwood MBE and Ben Fennell - Teamship and High-performance

In the latest episode of the CAL Podcast, we are joined by two best friends, who have performed at the very top of international sport and business, and have come together to co-author 'World Class: How to Lead, Learn and Grow Like a Champion'. For over ten years, Ben Fennell was the CEO of global advertising agency 'Bartle Bogle and Hegarty' and has now created 'The Growth House', a leadership and teamship consultancy to help organisations grow. Meanwhile, his best friend Will Greenwood MBE, is an England rugby legend, earning 55 caps for England and 2 for the British & Irish Lions, to this day is still the third-highest English try scorer of all time. In this insightful and passionate episode, Ben and Will discuss the importance of mentoring and its role in maximising potential, how leaders must generate a learning culture, and they speak candidly about pushing themselves to the point of failure and, most importantly, what they have learnt from the experience. 

A fascinating insight into the world of high-performance. 

 

More info below: 

Centre for Army Leadership | The British Army (mod.uk)

The Growth House | Growing Leaders Teams and Businesses

Will Greenwood – Analyst, Ambassador, Speaker, Grass Roots Champion, World Cup Winner

World Class (penguin.co.uk)

Episode 23 - Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE: leading high-performance teams

In the first episode of 2022, we are joined by one of UK sport's most accomplished female athletes, Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE. Kate represented the England and Great Britain hockey teams 375 times, captaining them for 13 years and leading Great Britain to Olympic Gold in 2016. Kate speaks openly to us about the importance of being humble and learning from the people you lead and shares personal anecdotes from her career and Olympic journey. She discusses the importance of high-performing teams sharing values and a collective vision, as they did in 2016 by crafting the collective goal of "Be the difference; Create History; Inspire the Future". Kate highlights the importance of authentic and transparent leadership in high-performing teams, allowing those you lead to see you as a person and not just a leader. As one would expect from a leader in the high-performance world, she also stresses the importance of leaders not shying away from having difficult conversations as these conversations maybe needed to drive higher standards and results. In a particularly heartfelt moment, Kate speaks openly about her experience of sharing her Olympic journey with her wife Helen Richardson-Walsh MBE and becoming the first same-sex married couple to win Olympic Gold together. Finally, Kate speaks positively about failure and how one must use it as a positive learning experience, recounting a seminal moment from early in her career where she experienced failure and how it helped pave the way to Olympic Gold in Rio; as Kate says herself, "the past is where the gold dust lies." 

www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-schools-and-colleges/centre-for-army-leadership/ 

www.katerichardson-walsh.com 

www.accesssport.org.uk 

www.womenssporttrust.com 

www.helenrichardson-walsh.com 

 

Episode 22 - The Importance of Adaptability and Decision-making - Major General Tim Hodgetts CBE QHS OStJ

In the latest episode of the CAL Podcast, we are joined by the Surgeon General, Major General Tim Hodgetts CBE QHS OStJ. General Tim is the most senior uniformed medical officer within the Armed Forces and is the senior technical authority for all medical matters. In this fascinating interview, General Tim talks about the necessity of different leadership styles and how he has learned to adapt his approach and style throughout his illustrious career, depending on the context. Speaking with passion and sincerity, general Tim talks about the importance of innovation and challenge within any organisation. He quotes George Bernard Shaw by saying, "progress is only made by unreasonable people", stressing the need for disruptive innovation. General Tim tells us about his leadership lessons from his numerous deployments to Afghanistan within a field hospital, highlighting the clash and tension between military and civilian medical ethical frameworks and the leadership challenges that come with it. Finally, General Tim discusses the importance of decision-making in leadership and the tension every leader faces in balancing understanding a situation with being decisive.  

An incredible interview with a pioneer in emergency medicine.