In this episode, our host Captain Ash Bhwardwaj speaks to Sergeant Mo Faye about the importance of ownership over outputs and how soft skills in leaders are hugely valued by followers during periods of training and change. Sergeant Mo Faye was born and raised in Gambia and joined the British Army's Staff and Personnel Support Branch, the Adjutant Generals Corps (AGC, SPS) in 2001. He was then attached to the rifle companies of infantry regiments as a junior HR specialist and admin junior Non Commissioned Officer. As a corporal he administered Officer Cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, before working with the Irish Guards and NATO in the Middle East. As a Sergeant Mo is now the systems coordinator at the Army Medical Service's support unit. Mo has deployed across the world on exercise and on operations and has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for value of service and the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe's Coin. He is also the founder of the Juwara Charity.

In this episode, our host, Captain Ash Bhardwaj, speaks to Captain John Werrett, known as 'Wez,' about moral courage, respectful challenge, and finding teachable moments from examples of unconscious bias.   CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, we cover the topics of the deaths of soldiers on operations, improvised explosive devices, and dealing with the trauma of those tragedies. If these topics are difficult for you to hear about, you may want to skip this episode. It is totally natural that the examples given in this episode may affect you, and you may find it useful to speak with someone about how you feel. You can find a range of support resources at the Army's Ask for Help page linked at the bottom of these show notes.   Joining the army in 2001, Wez joined 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment, which later became 3 MERCIAN and then 1 MERCIAN. He has served in regimental duty at all ranks, including time in the reconnaissance platoon. He was the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Support Weapons School as it became the Combined Arms Manoeuvre School. He has instructed at AFC Harrogate, ITC Catterick, and on loan service to Brunei's Officer Academy. Wes has served on tours of the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan and, after a Late Entry commission, is now the company second in command of Dragon Support Company.   The British Army's Ask for Help Page: https://www.army.mod.uk/people/health-wellbeing-welfare-support/health-performance-and-wellbeing-in-the-army/managing-stress/ask-for-help/

In this episode, our host Captain Ash Bhardwaj speaks to WO2 Colin Russell who enlisted into the Royal Scots Dragon Guards (SCOTS DG) and trained on the British Army's Main Battle Tank the Challenger 2. He served on 2 tours of OP TELLICK In Iraq before moving to the Queen's Royal Hussars (QRH) as a corporal. AS a Sergeant he commanded a QRH multiple in the light infantry role in Afghanistan on OP HERRICK 15. He has been a sergeant instructor at the Heavy Armour Wing, a Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant and was a lethality survivability subject matter expert on the development of the British Army's new armoured vehicle, Ajax. In this conversation, WO2 Colin Russell reflects on the power and proffesional competence of leadership, acknowledging your mistakes and some unexpected benefits of the discipline procedures.

Dr Cath Bishop talks in this latest CAL Podcast episode about mastery mindset and letting go of fixed short-term goals.  A former international rower, diplomat and now leadership consultant Cath is used to high-performance environments and uses these experiences to provide her view on leadership, purpose and how to define one's role in the team.  As an Olympic silver medallist, it is interesting to hear Cath's openness to talk about feelings of failure in sport and the mindset shift that allowed her to go on to achieve her goals.  Cath discusses the importance of not always focusing on finite goals, instead encouraging us to look at what we have learned from the process and how to link that learning into the next mission or goal.  She emphasises how vital it is to give individuals the space, resources and education to nurture talent, in order to maximise their potential within high performing teams.   A great interview with someone who has experienced high-performance culture in many different environments focusing on the importance of leadership and how we can cultivate a new attitude to the meaning of success.

This week, in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, we will be doing a deep dive into mental health by speaking to Consultant Occupational and Forensic Psychologist, Professor Neil Greenberg. Professor Neil served in the Armed Forces for more than 23 years. During this time, he was an integral part of the team that developed peer-led traumatic stress support packages, most notably trauma risk management (TRiM), for which he was awarded the Gilbert Blane Medal. Professor Neil tells us about the origins and academic rigour behind the Armed Forces TRiM programme but warns that it is not penicillin for mental health and that leaders must work hard to use TRiM as a proactive rather than a reactive tool. He highlights the importance of knowing and communicating with your people and discusses the importance of leaders having what he calls, "psychological savy chats”. Professor Neil also explores the concept of using 'after actions reviews' following traumatic incidents, pointing out that if leaders were to be more open and transparent about their feelings and the mental and emotional impact of events, it would resonate with their followers and set the example for them to follow. Finally, he tackled the sobering subject of suicide and gave invaluable advice for people struggling with their mental health, highlighting the importance of people being compassionate and kind.  If you would like more information on mental health support please follow the links below:  Veteran Support  Single point of contact for veterans' mental health support.  Mental Health and Wellbeing Defence Connect (Must have Defence Connect account) Mental health and wellbeing resources can be found on Defence Connect including links to charity organisations Combat Stress: for veterans’ mental health Combat Stress provides a range of community, outpatient and residential mental health services to veterans with complex mental health problems.  Resources for team leaders:  Zero Suicide Alliance training  There are three modules to this on-line training: Step Up Isolation Module This module is a brief introduction to what social isolation is, how it affects our mental health, and how to help someone who may be isolated. Gateway Training This module is a brief but vital introduction to suicide awareness. Advanced training takes 25 minutes to complete and gives you the skills and awareness to recognise when someone may be contemplating taking their own life.

In the latest episode of the Centre for Army Leadership Podcast, we have the privilege to speak with Professor Jamie Shea, former Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO. Jamie's NATO career spanned an incredible 38 years, in which time he worked his way from Assistance Committee Secretary and Minute Writer to Deputy Assistant Secretary-General. As one would expect, Jamie speaks passionately about the importance and strength of coalitions and interoperability, highlighting the benefits of diversity and of having a unifying purpose at the strategic level. He talks about the challenges of leading without authority and unpacks the concept of 'leading through diplomacy'. Jamie looks to the future in highlighting the future challenge's leaders will face in an ever-changing and increasingly complex world, highlighting the issues that NATO leaders will face, specifically in dealing with sub-threshold Article 5 activity. Finally, he speaks to us about leading in a crisis, highlighting how good leaders are comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and being comfortable with taking risks.  An energetic and reverting interview with a man who has had a front row seat to history.