Who’s heard of this? It’s a great tool for self-awareness. The ‘unknown’ is the hardest box to fill (it’s impossible) but I find it a good moment for reflection. What was once unknown to you and others? When it became known to you, which box did it go into? I once didn’t know how I would manage high stress, potentially catastrophic situations. I then was first on scene to a 3 vehicle RTC on a motorway and I learnt that I do really well at managing people and the situation under high stress. It then became part of my ‘open area’ (to some) and my ‘hidden area’. When did you discover something that had been part of your ‘unknown’.

My favourite! R- recognise individual strengths and weaknesses. For me, I think this requires finding balance. If someone is good at something, do you just make them do that thing? That wouldn’t develop their weaknesses. Do you make them do their weakness? How would this make them feel, what if it is life or death? Discuss 👀

After some conversations with veterans, it is worth saying that this community is not a place where I will rave about the Army. Truthfully, the Army failed my friend and killed him in 2022 due to faulty equipment and money saving training methods. It is also littered with toxic leaders and bullies who joined for the wrong reasons. It is an organisation reluctant to change and our senior officers and commonly nicknamed dinosaurs for this reason. But I was a foster kid. And so the Army gave me subsidised housing and food. It gave me a good wage and paid for my PGCE, MSc and CELTA qualifications. I have a lot to thank them for. Because of the Army, in 2 years time, I will be able to afford a deposit on a house. I am in the Educational and Training Services. I am trained to deliver the Army leadership programme to Sergeants and Warrant Officers. The Army leadership doctrine is well researched and robust. Sadly not everyone puts it into practice. I want this community to be a community of people who want to learn and discuss leadership theory to better ourselves and help offer other perspectives to one another. I will always be open to have difficult conversations. Welcome all! ☺️ Thinking of Max today ❤️

Tomorrow is my favourite but for now: E- Encourage Confidence in the Team Leaders must inspire and motivate their teams to achieve. This is done by demonstrating confidence in their abilities, and talking enthusiastically about success. How do you like to build confidence and what helps to build your confidence in your team?

D- Demand High Performance. Soldiering is a high stakes game, it can literally be a case of life or death. High performance isn’t therefore desirable it is critical. Leaders must have high performance expectations and communicate them to their teams. While many workplaces might not be life or death, demanding high performance is critical. You want your subordinates to have a sense of pride in where they work. How do you communicate your expectations to your team?