The Centre for Army Leadership Podcast

A trigger warning- this podcast discusses combat operations in detail, talks about injury, death and the psychological impact of combat, you may want to skip this episode if this will affect you. 

In this episode, our Host Ash Bhardwaj, speaks with WO1 Aidan O’Brien, Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of Oxford Universities Officers Training Corps. Aidan has served a lengthy military career in the Grenadier Guards, with operational tours in Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and played a pivotal role in both state ceremonial duties and front-line operations. 

Aidan shares his journey from donning the bearskin and scarlet tunic for state ceremonial duties in Nijmegen Company to leading reconnaissance missions and training soldiers at ITC Catterick and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Throughout the episode, Aidan delves into his experiences as a leader, emphasising the importance of adapting leadership styles to support those around you, especially in moments of failure and adversity. He reflects on the challenges of leadership in both combat and training environments, highlighting the lessons he’s learned about resilience, empathy, and teamwork. Aidan also shares personal stories and discusses the evolving nature of leadership in the Army and how junior leaders can be prepared for success on future operations. 

This episode offers an insightful look into leadership, resilience, and the personal challenges that come with guiding teams through demanding operational and ceremonial duties. Aidan’s experiences serve as a powerful reminder of the critical role leadership plays in both military success and personal development.

In this episode, our host Lt Colonel Dean Canham OBE speaks with Major General Zac Stenning, the Director of Leadership for the British Army, and Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. With an illustrious career spanning nearly three decades, he has commanded forces from Platoon to Brigade across diverse and challenging environments, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more. His deep experience in both operational command and strategic leadership positions makes him a uniquely insightful guest.

Throughout the episode, General Zac shares his perspective on what lies at the core of effective leadership: good character, integrity, and the ability to turn vision into action. He discusses the vital importance of humility, the continuous pursuit of feedback, and the central role of ethics and values in leadership. General Stenning also highlights the significance of Mission Command in the British Army, stressing the need for leaders to adapt their styles to the context and human geography of any situation.

As we explore the responsibilities of commanding officers and soldiers alike, General Zac reflects on the privilege of leading not only soldiers but also caring for their families. He concludes by emphasising the importance of resilience, adaptability, and robust leadership skills in shaping the Army's future leaders.

This episode is a deep dive into the principles that underpin leadership in the British Army, offering valuable insights for leaders at all levels.

In this episode, we delve into the theme of courage in leadership, both moral and physical, through the powerful and inspiring story of Warrant Officer Class 2, Johnson Beharry VC COG.

Johnson Beharry takes us through his harrowing experiences in Iraq, where he displayed extraordinary bravery under enemy fire, making split-second decisions that saved the lives of his comrades. He recounts the intense moments of leading his team through ambushes, including the time he ran through fire to disable a weapon system that could have been used against them, for which he was awarded a Victoria Cross.

Beyond his battlefield heroics, Johnson also opens up about the importance of self-care and the challenges of looking after one's own welfare in high-stress environments. He candidly shares his struggles with combat stress, offering a deeply moving perspective on the mental toll of warfare and the strength required to confront it.

Join us as we explore not only the heroic deeds that earned Johnson Beharry this prestigious honor, but also the personal battles he faced along the way, shedding light on the true nature of courage in the face of unimaginable adversity.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj sits down with Major Robin White of The Rifles to explore the intricacies of leadership through the lens of a seasoned military professional. Robin shares his journey from commissioning into the Light Infantry in 2006 to commanding roles in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Robin's career has taken him from frontline deployments on OP TELIC 13 in Iraq and OP HERRICK 15 in Afghanistan to pivotal staff roles at NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Through these experiences, he offers insights into how humility, 360-degree feedback, and effective delegation are essential to leadership development.

Robin also highlights how fostering enjoyment in leadership, alongside building a sense of identity and fairness within a team, can inspire individuals to excel. His stories and lessons provide a comprehensive look at what it takes to lead successfully under pressure.

Join us as we dive into the vital aspects of leadership, from accepting feedback to building motivated teams that thrive.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Maj Charlie Ruggles-Brise and WO1 Dai Chant of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, “The Welsh Cavalry.” We explore the intricacies of leadership and development through the unique perspectives of two military professionals who have worked closely together since early on in their careers.

Charlie and Dai first crossed paths on Op HERRICK 9 in Afghanistan, when Dai was a junior vehicle commander and Charlie was a new Troop Leader. Their collaboration grew, eventually leading them to command A Squadron, with Charlie as Squadron Leader and Dai as Squadron Sergeant Major.

Dai highlights how developing individuals often happens "in the margins," where leaders adapt their styles to meet the unique needs of their team members. Charlie emphasises the importance of taking teams on the decision-making journey, noting how communication and transparency are vital to effective leadership.

This episode is unique in that it brings together perspectives from both the commissioned and non-commissioned career pathways, offering a comprehensive look at what it takes to lead effectively.

Join us as we explore how leadership is about more than just making decisions, it's about understanding your team, adapting in the margins, and leading with unity. 

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Warren Gatland, the legendary Head Coach of the Welsh National Rugby team. With a remarkable career spanning both playing and coaching at the highest levels, Warren’s story is one of passion and dedication. 

Born in New Zealand, Warren began his rugby journey on the fields of his homeland, eventually earning a place in the All Blacks. His transition into coaching led to success across the Irish and English leagues before taking the helm of the Welsh national team from 2007 to 2019. Under his leadership, Wales secured three Six Nations Grand Slam titles and reached two Rugby World Cup semi-finals. Warren also made his mark as Head Coach of the British and Irish Lions, leading successful tours in 2013 and 2017. Now, he’s back with Wales, ready to inspire and lead the team once again.

In this episode our host, Ash Bhardwaj, speaks to Colonel Jax Powell. Colonel Powell joined the Army in 1994, commissioning into the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC). She has served on operations in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan and Mali. She has also held several Staff roles including stints at the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), Army Headquarters, Home Command, and at the Development Concepts Doctrine Centre. Her junior career included a tenure as a Platoon Commander at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and, more recently, she has been an Officer Commanding (OC) of an RLC subunit on Op HERRICK in Afghanistan, and the Commanding Officer (CO) of 25 training regiment. Since joining the General Staff, Col Powell has been Deputy Commandant RMAS and Commander University Officer Training Corps (UOTC). Col Jax will be the next Corps Colonel for the RLC.

In this episode our host, Lieutenant Colonel Dean Canham OBE, speaks to bestselling author, speaker and leadership and high-performance consultant, James Kerr. 

James has worked with elite teams around the world, across numerous sports, businesses and military units, developing their cultures and leadership in the pursuit of success at the very highest level. He is the author of the renowned global bestseller ‘Legacy’, which delivers a unique insight into the culture that drives the worlds most successful sporting team - The New Zealand All Blacks. His forthcoming book ‘Ethos: The Legacy Playbook’ is a practical guide for putting vision into action, and purpose into practice. 

James is emphatic in his belief that servant, or coaching, leadership must be the norm for successful leaders, and that leaders should consider themselves a resource for the teams that they have the privilege of leading. He emphasises the significance of adaptability in leadership, that it is imperative that leaders have the ability to change depending on the context of a situation, and though leadership provides complexities, self-awareness - or ‘leading from within’ - must be the start point of any leader’s journey. 

He comments on the people-centric nature of leadership, recognising that the ‘soft skills’ can actually prove to be some of the hardest to put into practice, but the rewards for doing so, are great. James suggests that leaders ‘make the weather’ in a team, and where climates add up to cultures, great cultures are founded in respect, humility, accountability, and psychological safety. Like us, James believes that the development of leadership should be a continual, through-life journey, where the character of a leader is ‘mission critical’. 

In this episode we speak to Sergeant Ashley Siddall of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). He began his career at the Army Foundation College Harrogate, at the age of 16, culminating in him joining the RAMC. After completing his trade training as a  medic, providing pre-hospital care, Sgt Siddall joined 16 Medical Regiment, and has since deployed to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 13, has served on Op OLYMPIC in London, and on operations in Somalia. He proceeded to complete the Black Serpent course to provide medical support in the joint service environment, before being attached to various combat regiments, including The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) and 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1LANCS), where he worked in their Regimental Aid Posts on operations, exercises and in barracks. Ash is now posted to 22 Multi Medical Regiment, as a Troop Sergeant to 32 (A) Squadron. 

We discuss his leadership journey, and the significance reflection has played in allowing him to develop, and re-frame his approach to leading, as well as the negative impact that toxic leadership has on junior leaders finding their leadership style. 

In this episode we speak with Doctor Victoria Carr, Primary School Head Teacher, Army Reservist in the Intelligence Corps, and Centre for Army Leadership Senior Research Fellow.

Combining her experience in leading in the education sector and as a military leader, Victoria provides a unique insight into how teams can benefit from leadership skills and experiences that transcend notably different environments. We discuss the importance of personal resilience, and the part it plays in fostering and nurturing emotional and psychological safety among teams. Importantly, we discuss how the display of 'love' by leaders for their teams is not a too strong of a word to use, even in a military context.