What I've learnt about leadership

From working with Nelson Mandela during the South African peace talks to discovering sunken cities off the coast of India, former Royal Marines Officer Monty Halls has led operations and expeditions in some of the world’s most extreme environments.

His career – which started in the Navy, before he transferred to the Marines and then side-stepped into marine biology, conservation and documentary making – has taken him around the world.

In 2003, Monty established his own expedition company and over the following four years he circumnavigated the globe – not once but four times. In 2017, he moved with his family to the Galápagos Islands to experience the wonders and challenges of the wildlife-rich archipelago.

Monty has presented on all the major TV channels and is best known for his three BBC2 series Great Escapes, in which he lived on the west coast of Scotland and Ireland with his dog Reuben.

Three decades of leading globetrotting adventures has taught Monty a lot about leadership and teamwork. He shares what working in extreme environments has taught him, and the qualities he believes make brilliant leaders.

'Anyone in the armed forces will tell you that it doesn’t take long for extreme behaviours to emerge. If someone is cold, wet and deprived of food, the primal brain can take over and they’ll break down very quickly – that’s when things can go wrong. A good leader will always have a plan in place that includes mechanisms to ensure everyone is supported. You need to be able to anticipate extreme behaviours and have the right systems (and training) in place to deal with them when they emerge.' LEADERSHIP

'Part of being a good leader is accepting that things will go wrong and anticipating this. When the wheels do fall off, there’s a moment of disorientation and shock. However, if you’ve looked ahead and anticipated possible bumps in the road you’ll be better prepared to deal with situations when they arise.

'It’s important to remember there’s always a solution. Take a step back and ask yourself: "Where are we now and what are we going to do about it?" Look forward to the potential routes out of the situation rather than over-analysing what has gone wrong.

'There’s a great quote from German general Helmuth von Moltke: "No plan survives contact with the enemy." It’s true; in every conflict scenario around the world plans have gone wrong.'

'Historically, emotional intelligence has been somewhat overlooked in the services yet it’s hugely important. Unless you understand the emotions of the people you are trying to lead, you simply can't lead them.

'For example, there's no point shouting and screaming at someone who doesn't respond well to aggressive leadership, just as there’s no point in using a gentle approach with someone who responds well to stronger leadership.

'Empathy helps a leader understand their team and get the best out of them.'

'Recognise when your team needs you to take control but also when they’re handling the situation and don’t need your input. Being able to recognise the difference in these moments is a great skill, as is having the confidence to let your team lead you.

'In the armed forces, you frequently lead people who are much better qualified or experienced in the environment than you. It's a great quality in a leader to be able to say, "You know a lot more about this than me, what should we do?".'

'Being a good team member is as important as being a good leader, and a key element is understanding where you fit in the big picture. Your role will constantly change and evolve, but adapting and communicating ensures the team continues to run smoothly.

'There’s a great story about when John F. Kennedy visited the NASA headquarters. As he walked into the building, he asked a man at the door what he did. The man said he was a car park attendant – and that he helped put people on the moon.

'It beautifully demonstrates the idea of the bigger picture, that every member of a team contributes to the objective.'

Monty's new book explores a range of heroic personal accounts of life in the Royal Marines.

'My time in the Royal Marines instilled a great interest in the organisation's 350-year history,' says Monty.

'Other than the Roman Legion, there are very few forces that have achieved the same level of success and status as the Commandos. 'The book is a portrait of inspiring individuals who've done extraordinary things while serving in the Marines. I interviewed as many of them as possible in person and was moved and inspired by their stories.

'One of the most memorable was interviewing a D-day veteran who recounted his memories of running down the beach in Normandy while his friends fell beside him. He was only 16. It was a huge privilege to meet him and tell his story.'

Commando: The Inside Story of Britain's Royal Marines is out now.

Meet Dorset Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major James Budding and former CFAV Private Jess Langdon who are following their dreams of becoming soldiers.

Major Jason Budding R SIGNALS presenting Cadet RSM James Budding with the pace stick

James joined Army Cadets in 2016, aged 12. Since then, he’s risen through the ranks to become Dorset Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), the highest of accolades in the Cadets. He is currently seeking to secure a place at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Becoming RSM of Dorset ACF was easily my proudest accomplishment within the Cadets. When Covid-19 struck I was only a corporal who had just passed 3-star and I presumed that’s where my cadet career would finish. I have been exceptionally lucky to be able to attain my SCIC, Master Cadet and promotion to RSM throughout the two years of the pandemic.

Private Jess Langdon

Jess joined Army Cadets as a Potential Adult Instructor in 2016. She stayed with Merseyside ACF for three years before joining the Army in 2019. Having successfully completed her training, she is now a private soldier in the Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC), serving alongside 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

We have a job with a purpose, and I get to feel like I’m helping people. We work with many senior officers and have a lot of responsibility, so we get respect for that. Career progression is fantastic and we can be attached to any unit within the Army, giving us the opportunity to travel.

Yes – Army Cadets has definitely helped both on my journey to and in the Army. Basic training is such a huge learning experience and there is so much to take in, so having prior experience and understanding of certain aspects really helps to alleviate some stress.

The ACF also taught me to never give up; passing my Adult Induction Course and getting ‘most improved’ after taking an extra year to build confidence brought out resilience I never knew I had.

I’d always aimed to go into the military, but my Cadets experience has given me the confidence to apply to become an officer. The leadership skills I’ve learnt and the opportunities I’ve been given couldn't be attained anywhere else.

Stick to it. Army Cadets is the best youth organisation in the UK, in my opinion. The opportunities you get from things like the DofE Award and CVQO are insane. I encourage all cadets to do as much as they can.

When I first joined as a CFAV, I was very quickly welcomed into the Army Cadets family and that’s exactly what it is – a family. I loved the lifestyle and the friendships and decided I wanted more. The Army Cadets was where it all started and, for that, it will always be a part of me. I might have moved on but I haven’t forgotten. In fact, I still have all my rank slides and patches on my wall. I’m proud of being a CFAV and I’d recommend it to everyone.