Leaders serve their teams, they don’t put themselves first, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army told the CISI Paraplanner Conference this morning.

Bob Fraser MBE, who is also an ex-Towry adviser, said although this can be an alien concept to many people, it is an important tenet to uphold.

Mr Fraser explained that serve to lead was the Sandhurst motto.

He also warned leaders to avoid surrounding themselves with yes men, saying one of his old bosses had made catastrophic errors of judgement as a result.

He said: “Leaders need to accept they are wrong and they need to have a team around them with the balls to challenge them. Leaders need to compromise.”

But he also stressed: “There is a world of difference between consulting to get the best advice and accommodating every suggestion. The buck stops with him or her.”

Citing a number of sporting examples to illustrate the challenges of creating an effective team and being a good leader, he said: “It can be very difficult to persuade one of your Ronaldos that passing the ball can provide a better chance at scoring a goal than going on a solo dribble and giving up the self glory.

“Leicester City (winning this season’s Premier League) is a cliché now but a really good example of how you can turn fairly average players into a great team.”

He said he was taught to attend to the comfort of the troops before you think of yourself. For example, officers eat second, after their juniors.

He provided a number of military quotes to emphasise the key messages of leadership.

One was: “Study the men under your command. Know them well and be known to them. Gain their confidence by your knowledge, energy and skill, and by your interest in their welfare. Always be cheerful with them, however you may feel.”

Delegates also heard leaders have a right to demand loyalty and good teams always communicate well.

He concluded: “Be selfless, be loyal and be experts and don’t be like Idi Amin (the Ugandan dictator).”

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