Leadership Secrets of the Australian Army

170 Pages·2019·0.83 MB·English

by  Nicholas Jans

‘Read it and be wise.’
From the Foreword by Lieutenant General David Morrison AO, Australian of the
Year 2016
‘Australia’s tradition of military leadership has a lot to offer leaders in business, from
sensible structures and disciplines to the clear obligation to care for one’s people. Nick
Jans conveys that leadership tradition with great clarity.’
Paul Franklin, General Manager Payments, National Australia Bank
‘This book provides great insights into leadership that can be applied to everyday
corporations and not just within the military, so that we as readers can make better
leaders within our differing environments.’
Linda Rudd MRICS, Senior Director, Asset Management Services, Knight Frank
Australia Pty Ltd
‘War is difficult, highly complex and unpredictable, and success on the battlefield
requires strong consistent leadership and systems across various functions. Nicholas
Jans draws out those skills, knowledge and attributes for business leaders to apply
within their organisation and marketplace.’
David John Sloan BCom, EMBA, GAICD, General Manager/Owner, Bulla Dairy
Foods (Ex-Reserve soldier, 4/19 PWLH, Australian Army)
‘The mention of “military leadership” can invoke images of blinding heroics, risking a
flawed start to any study into leadership. Nick Jans simply asks that we start with the
military’s values, inviting us to follow evidence of why the military leads as it does,
allowing us to determine what lessons can be drawn out.’
John Keith, Chairman, Atomo Diagnostics

Royalties from sales of Leadership Secrets of the Australian Army are going to Soldier
On, the support services provider for national service personnel and their families.

First published in 2018
Copyright © Nicholas Jans 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior
permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one
chapter or 10 per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its
educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration
notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.
Allen & Unwin
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ISBN 978 1 76063 180 2
eISBN 978 1 76063 624 1
Internal design by Midland Typesetters, Australia
Set by Midland Typesetters, Australia
Cover design: Luke Causby/Blue Cork
To Colonel Michael Crawford, MBE, who died on 22 July 2015, respected and
remembered by many, not least of whom are his former subordinates Nick Jans and
Noel Turnbull.
A culture of adaptability is vital to survival in the armed services. As business
executives cope with increasing unpredictability, they can take a page from
the military’s book.
Harvard Business Review, November 2010
Contents
List of tables
Foreword
Prologue
1 Leadership we can believe in
2 Leadership, culture and context
3 Looking at leadership
4 The military leadership ethos
5 The 3Rs of leadership: An overview
6 Representing: The role model
7 Relating: The supportive people manager
8 Running the team: The engaging catalyst
9 Building an organisation by building its people
10 It’s the backswing, stupid
Appendix 1: Contemporary Army structure
Appendix 2: Making the leader-as-catalyst approach work
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Notes
Index