The British Army stands on the quality of its leadership. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Going far beyond the latest fads, Lt Col Langley Sharp shares lessons from three centuries of Army experience.
Leadership is not about the heroic exception, but the habitual practice of doing what is right, difficult and necessary every single day to build a team, look after the people in it and work towards the next objective.
Exploring questions that are fundamental to leadership in any area of life – how to build trust and cohesion, achieve a balance between control and delegation, and deliver results in the face of adversity – Lt Col Langley Sharp, head of the Centre for Army Leadership, joins us to share his own experience and the latest research in military history, business, sociology, psychology and behavioural science.
Drawing upon dozens of examples of both famous Army figures – from Wellington to Montgomery, from Brooke to TE Lawrence – as well as the experiences of contemporary servicemen and women in Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and Iraq, Lt Colonel Sharp will give a dynamic account of Army leadership in action.
There is much that is unique about the Army – the Regimental system, the soldier/officer relationships, and the high stakes involved – but there are many valuable lessons here for leaders in any field. It outlines the future challenges for the Army, where technology will play a greater role but the human element will be more vital than ever.
This is the first time one of the world’s most revered institutions has given an inside and institutional view on what makes its leadership so effective. Going far beyond the latest leadership fads, this livestream event is for any leader committed to maximising the effectiveness of their teams and unlocking the potential of their people – and themselves.
Praise for Lt Colonel Langley Sharp’s The Habit of Excellence:
‘An extraordinary read for any leader… Truly brilliant’ – General Stanley McChrystal, author of Team of Teams
‘A terrific book – one that is full of insights and lessons that will be of enormous value to leaders in all fields! – General David Petraeus, former Director of the CIA
‘Valuable in any walk of life’ – General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff
‘Offers proven tools and strategies … This excellent book challenges popular assumptions about British Army leadership, revealing what makes it the “gold standard”’ – Matthew Syed, author of Rebel Ideas
