I have spent 30 years of my adult life in the British Army, honing my own leadership practice and developing it in others.

I hold a MSc in International Security, another MSc in Educational Practice and Innovation, and a BSc in Sports Science. I have deployed on active operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. Variously throughout my professional career, I have been a driver, musician, engineer, physical training Instructor, adventurous training instructor, arabist, coach, infanteer and a teacher.

Since leaving the British Army, I have pursued two passions of mine, geopolitics and education, which have culminated, so far, in the successful publication of two action-based geopolitical thrillers.

Biography

I currently live in Switzerland. I am happily married, and I am proud to have lived and worked in over ten different countries. I speak fluent German, very good Arabic and strong conversational Portuguese and Spanish. English is my native language.

But none of this really tells you about how I got to this point. I am in all senses of the word someone that has been shaped by the organisation within which I spent 30 years of my adult life.

Tested to destruction

Nothing builds friendship and trust like adversity. I spent almost two years of my early army life in some form of basic training. We were physically and mentally stretched in every direction imaginable, constantly being confronted with tasks and expectations that appeared deliberately impossible to achieve, or at least seemed like it at the time. Of course, the expectation in most cases was never focussed on just finishing the task, it was focused instead on how you behaved as you tried individually and as a small team, to achieve the task.

Leading and being led

Naturally, as you progress in the army, the expectations of you to demonstrate leadership behaviours grow. Indeed, as a trained soldier or officer you are constantly being challenged and tested on formal courses, leadership cadres, sport & adventurous training and operations. Each year an appraisal report is written on you describing how you performed in your current role and how you would have performed if you had been working one rank higher. From the outset the following leadership principles were infused into us:

1. Engage yourself and be present and ready to support the team.

2. Let the others eat before you and serve those below you.

3. Use every opportunity to demonstrate, strengthen and act on the organisation’s values and standards.

4. Know your stuff, plan thoroughly, remain flexible and ensure that your focus encompasses the team, task and individual.

5. Inspire others through your actions. Physical and moral courage, honesty and personal example.

6. Know that your job in times of war involves working in the most dynamic and hostile environment imaginable. Be the leader that leads others safely and successfully through this change and make sure your people come through the other side more resilient than when they entered.