This episode is the first of several discussion episodes in which we look back on all the episodes of the Human Advantage in order to provide clear examples of Army leaders putting the competencies and sub-skills of the Leader Competency Framework (LCF) into practice.

*Major Tom Bucknall was awarded acting rank at the time while covering for SO1 Leadership.

In this episode we're joined by Lt Col Matt Johns MBE, Commanding Officer of a reserve signals regiment. After commissioning in 2006 he has completed postings in Germany, Kenya and the UK as well as 3 tours or Afghanistan, during one of which he helped set up the Afghan Army National Officer Academy and coach/mentor the first Afghan Directing Staff team. He also spent time as a platoon commander at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, training the next generation of officers. In the civilian world he has co-founded Fieri Leadership, harnessing the leadership skills and experiences he learned throughout his career.

He shares the importance of getting pace setting right, how leaders should enable the team in order to build their own bonds, experiences of leading experts who are more technically skilled than you, cynicism within the army and civilian worlds, and the importance of character and shared purpose within a team.

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of death, suicide, cancer, and trauma, including adverse childhood experiences.

In this episode, we’re honoured to welcome Major Kate Page, an Army GP whose leadership journey has spanned operational deployments, trauma medicine, and long-term illness.

With years of experience as a Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) to artillery, infantry and EOD regiments, Kate brings rare insight into the emotional intelligence and empathy required to lead people in crisis, both physical and psychological.

From Iraq to South Sudan and everywhere in between, Kate has provided care in some of the most complex environments. She reflects on the unique role of the military doctor, not just treating illness and injury, but shaping culture, advising the chain of command, and transforming lives through trust and discretion. Her work demonstrates how medical leadership can create loyalty, cohesion, and mission readiness.

Kate also opens up about her personal journey with incurable metastatic breast cancer. From the patient’s chair as well as the doctor’s office, she explores the tension between the needs of the individual and the needs of the service, and what leaders can do to strike the balance. She offers a deeply human perspective on recovery, resilience, and the power of purpose.

This conversation is a masterclass in leading with empathy, navigating confidentiality, and fostering psychological safety. As Kate reminds us, “People will always remember how you treat them when they’re at their most vulnerable.” And that, more than anything, can define the strength of a team.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Reverend Anthony Feltham-White OBE, the Deputy Chaplain General of the British Army. We delve into the concept of leadership through the lens of a chaplain, exploring the unique perspective that Revd Feltham-White brings, shaped by years of experience in both military operations and spiritual care. His journey in leadership began when he joined the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department in 2005, after being appointed to the Church of England diocese of Oxford in 2000.

Revd Feltham-White has served in multiple operational environments, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and has spent significant time at the forefront of leadership development within the military. Drawing on his diverse experience, he highlights the importance of self-knowledge as the cornerstone of leadership. He emphasises how understanding one’s own character is vital to fostering psychological safety within an organisation, where individuals can perform at their best without fear of judgement.

As a chaplain, Revd Feltham-White's leadership focus is not just on spiritual care, but also on providing moral and ethical guidance to both junior soldiers and senior commanders. Through his work, he ensures that leaders at all levels understand their role in supporting and recognising the individual within their team. He notes that leadership isn't just about decisions and direction but about creating a safe and supportive environment for growth, especially when facing the pressures of military operations.

In this episode, Revd Feltham-White shares his experiences working with commanders, and how his role as a chaplain enables him to speak truth to power in a way that others may not be able to. From challenging difficult decisions to supporting individuals through personal crises, his leadership approach is rooted in empathy, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of people.

Join us as we explore the importance of self-awareness, the role of chaplains in supporting both the spiritual and emotional well-being of soldiers, and the value of character-driven leadership in high-pressure environments.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Lt Col Rob Swan, a leader with a diverse career in the British Army. We explore the intersection of leadership, technical expertise, and the development of teams through Rob's unique perspective.

Col Swan's journey began when he commissioned into the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) in 2004. His first experience in leadership came when he served as a transport troop commander during Operation TELIC 6 in Iraq, where he led combat logistics patrols. This was a defining period that set him on a path towards becoming an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) and, eventually, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator. His leadership experience in EOD is particularly notable, where he balanced technical proficiency with the command of highly specialised, intelligent, and experienced teams.

Throughout the episode, He discusses the challenges of earning credibility when transitioning into leadership roles, particularly when managing teams of individuals with more experience in their technical trades. He shares how trust, both in his team's expertise and his own leadership, was crucial to his success. He also highlights the importance of building a culture where psychological safety is paramount, ensuring that team members feel safe to challenge their leader when necessary, especially in high stakes environments like EOD operations.

This episode provides a deep dive into leadership from the unique perspective of an officer who has navigated both the technical and command challenges within the Army. His insights on developing trust, the value of continual professional development, and adapting leadership styles based on individual team members’ needs offer valuable lessons for all leaders.

Join us as we explore how leadership is about more than just knowledge: it’s about experience, trust, and building strong, capable teams through the right balance of challenge, support, and understanding.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Major Russ Archer of the Army Air Corps. With a wealth of experience in leadership and command, Russ shares his perspective on what it truly means to lead in complex environments.

Russ discusses the challenges of preparing soldiers for the realities of modern warfare, highlighting the balance between discipline, adaptability, and trust. He reflects on the importance of developing leaders who can think independently, make sound decisions under pressure, and empower their teams to operate effectively. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasises that leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about creating the conditions for others to succeed.

He also explores the evolving nature of leadership, particularly in the context of Mission Command. Russ explains how leaders must build strong, cohesive teams that can take initiative, make sense of ambiguity, and operate with confidence when guidance is limited.

Join us as we unpack the key principles of leadership with Major Russ Archer - covering trust, autonomy, and the vital role of junior leaders in shaping operational success.

In this episode, We explore why transformational leadership lays the foundation for effective transactional leadership in high-stakes situations.  Our host Ash Bhardwaj chats to Major Gethin Davies, an experienced officer in the Royal Gurkha Rifles and accomplished mountaineer, who shares insights from his leadership journey, including his role leading the British Army’s 2024 Everest expedition.

Drawing from his military background and extensive mountaineering experience- including summiting Everest twice - Gethin emphasises the importance of transparent communication, building trust, and meticulous planning. He discusses how transformational leadership fosters team cohesion, enabling difficult decisions to be accepted and understood in critical moments.

He recounts the rigorous preparation for the Everest expedition, including war-gaming potential scenarios and cultivating team trust to openly share perceived weaknesses. He highlights the similarities between military operations and high-altitude mountaineering, emphasising the necessity of self-sufficiency, decision-making under pressure, and physical endurance.

This episode provides powerful lessons on leadership, military adventurous training, decision-making, and team dynamics in extreme environments.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with CSgt Anwar Pitters, an experienced British Army leader whose career has been defined by his dedication to developing soldiers and maintaining the highest standards of leadership. With a wealth of operational experience and a passion for mentorship, Anwar shares his journey from the early days of soldiering to becoming a respected senior leader.

Anwar discusses the realities of leading teams in high-pressure environments, reflecting on the moments that tested his resilience and shaped his leadership philosophy. He delves into the significance of trust, discipline, and the small but powerful actions that define effective leadership. Drawing on his time mentoring junior soldiers and officers alike, he highlights how leadership isn’t just about authority, it’s about setting the tone, investing in people, and creating a culture where individuals thrive.

Throughout the conversation, Anwar emphasises how leadership often happens "in the margins" - in the conversations after a tough day, in the quiet guidance given to a struggling soldier, and in the consistency of leading by example. He speaks candidly about the lessons he’s learned, the mentors who influenced him, and the responsibility of shaping the next generation of Army leaders.

Join us as we explore how true leadership goes beyond decision-making, it's about understanding your team, embracing challenges, and leading with purpose.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Captain Zoe Spicer of the 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards, an inspiring leader with a wealth of experience in leadership, development, and mentorship across her military career. Notably, Zoe made history as the first Woman to commission into the QDG, and acts as the Royal Armoured Corps Servicewomen's Representative, championing the voices of women across the Corps.  

Capt Spicer shares her journey through the Army, reflecting on pivotal moments that have shaped her leadership philosophy. From leading teams in the challenging operational environment of Op NEWCOMBE in Mali to mentoring junior soldiers and officers, her experiences highlight the multifaceted nature of military leadership.  

She emphasises the importance of fostering trust within teams, empowering individuals to take ownership of their roles, and embracing adaptability in the face of uncertainty. For her, leadership is about creating an environment where individuals can thrive and work towards collective success.  

This episode provides a deep dive into the practical application of leadership principles, seen through the lens of her impressive career. Her insights into decision-making, resilience, and team cohesion offer valuable lessons for leaders in all walks of life.  

Join us as we explore how leadership is about more than just rank and responsibility—it's about breaking barriers, nurturing potential, and leading with authenticity.  

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Colonel Grant Davies from the Army Legal Services (ALS). Starting as a reservist in the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment before transitioning to the ALS in 1998, Colonel Grant has held a range of legal and leadership roles, from managing prosecution teams to advising commanders on complex operational law. His career spans deployments in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Afghanistan, and appointments as the Army’s senior prosecutor and now Assistant Head of Army Legal Advisory and Discipline Law.

This episode explores leadership through the lens of law, focusing on how ALS officers support commanders’ decision-making in operations, discipline, ethics, and personnel management. Colonel Grant shares insights on leadership maturity, moral courage, and creating psychologically safe environments for teams under pressure. He reflects on the nuances of “leadership by support,” where ALS lawyers advise on lawful but difficult decisions, often requiring moral resilience to deliver advice commanders may not want to hear.

The conversation also delves into operational challenges, such as navigating rules of engagement in Afghanistan, and how ALS leadership principles align with the broader military ethos. Finally, Colonel Grant emphasizes the importance of empathy, professional competence, and leading with humility to inspire and empower others in the most demanding environments.

This episode offers a deep dive into how law intersects with leadership, providing invaluable lessons for commanders and junior leaders alike. Tune in for a compelling exploration of leadership from a unique perspective within the military.