Strategic Leadership: Energising Force or Empty Fa?ade?

Military leadership often seems remote from the world in which commercial organisations operate. Yet, at the level of strategic leadership, there are remarkable similarities. In peacetime, resources are tight and routine decision-making is beset by dilemmas. In war, information is imperfect, the stakes are high and the pace is fast. Politics, the media and the inevitable shocks of war constantly threaten to derail the plan. The received prejudice might be that military leadership is hierarchical, directive and unimaginative. Nothing could be further from reality.

Sir Brian commanded the UK Joint contingent of 43,000 personnel in the 2003 Iraq War and has had a front-line command at every level in the Service. He has been responsible for the professional and leadership development of post-graduates officers of all three Services.