Leadership Theory
“Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence."
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery
“People are born; leaders are made."
General Stanley McChrystal
There are many facets to leadership, it is not always about leading from the front which is what most people think about when asked about leadership. This page will introduce you to a selection of tools and ideas about leadership. If you asked those at your unit to define Leadership you will get different answer every time as Leadership is not one thing. With that in mind further learning and exploration into the subject of leadership is advised to all PO’s and OCdt’s.
At the core of Army leadership are the principles of the Army Leadership Code. This is achieved through applying the behaviours listed the acronym LEADERS and putting those in your command in front of your needs and wants. The moto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst captures the latter statement within its moto, "Serve to Lead".
Army Leadership Code
At the heart of Army Leadership Code is the philosophy of Values Based Leadership.
If you haven't done so already download a free PDF of the Army Leadership Code here.
The code is underpinned by three main principals:
Vison - Support - Challenge
Seven behavers make up the Army Leadership Code:
Lead by example
Encourage Thinking
Apply reward and discipline
Demand high performance
Encourage confidence in the team
Recognise individual strength and weaknesses
Strive for team goals
Each behaviour falls under one of the three principals to form the Army Leadership Code.
The code is underwritten by the values and standards of the Army, for more information about the values and standards go to the British Army website or read the Army Leadership Code.
This is only a taste of what is in the Army Leadership Code and it is highly recommended that you make it top of your reading list before attending AOSB.
The Army Leadership Code is not only for Officers but everyone in the British Army, we are all leaders’regards of our rank or role.
Have a watch of this video from the Centre of Amy Leadership (CAL) that gives an introduction to the Army Leadership Code.
Gen Tim Evans prioritises what leaders should focus on in three words "Mission - Team - Self", this is somthing you will hear throughout your time in the Army, commissioned or not. It at the foundation of how we prioritises what we do.
Action Centred Leadership
John Adair is a former Army Officer and senior lecturer at RMAS. He pioneered how we think about leadership with Action Centred Leadership published in 1973 which is used greatly in the British Army today; commonly referred to as Adair's Balls.
Adair’s Action-Centred Leadership model defines leadership in terms of three interlocking, or overlapping circles of responsibility and concern, highlighting the relationship between them. The needs of task, team and individual are the motto of leadership and therefore should be constantly taken into account by the leader. The three circles typify the core areas of concern for the leader which are: achieving the common task; developing and meeting the needs of individual team members; and building and maintaining the team. If all three elements are satisfied, then the team becomes effective, achieving the required results. Each element of the model is of equal importance and success comes when the right balance is achieved between all three. An effective leader will vary the degree of emphasis upon the three components in order to respond to any situation, but still be mindful of the fact that each element has an influence upon the other two. Certain functions need to be performed in order to satisfy each area of responsibility. These functions include: planning; initiating; controlling; supporting; informing; and evaluating. It is not expected that these functions are performed by one person only; indeed they can be delegated as appropriate. However, it is the leader who remains ultimately accountable for all three areas of concern.
(CIM)
Followers into Leaders
David Marquet book Turn The Ship Around looks at challenging preconceived ideas of leadership and instead looks to empowering those in your command transforming them from followers into leaders.
Inspiring Leadership Model
Jonatham Peaks a former Army Officer has created a leadership model the idetifies the 8 attrubites that makes an Inspring Leader and how they can be developed.
The 8 Points of the the Inspiring Leadership Compus
Moral
Purpose
Health
Intelligance
Emotional
Resilience
Brand
Legacy
By developing each of these quadrant of the Inspring Leadership Compus you will inspire those you around you to achive great things. To find out more read or listen to his book Inspring Leadership.
5 Dsyfunctions of a Team
Use the link to the left to read a synopsis of the work by Patrick Lencioni on the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team.
To help understand how this is applicable in a military context read the article below about the 5 Dysfunctions of a Army Team.
