Executive Presence from the Slow Horses Stable

He’s been called “gloriously grotesque”, “dishevelled”, “eccentric”, “slovenly”, “grossly inappropriate”, “unkempt, flatulent and rude” with a “sour wit”, amongst other colourful, but pretty honest epithets.

But it turns out that Jackson Lamb, the infamously unconventional leader of Slough House in the brilliant, gripping MI5 drama ‘Slow Horses’ (AppleTV+) is actually a beacon of executive presence and steely, sharp-witted, unapologetic, no-nonsense leadership.

An Unlikely Leadership Role Model

If you haven’t seen it, I’d really recommend it.

I held off watching it for such a long time, no idea why, because it’s absolutely brilliant.

Even just for Gary Oldman’s portrayal of the brilliantly unfiltered and shambolic, yet razor-sharp Jackson Lamb which disguises a tactical sharpness and firm loyalty to his Slow Horses, his team of disgraced yet dangerously capable MI5 misfits.

The Unexpected Depth of Jackson Lamb

As you watch him you begin to realise that Lamb is actually really endearing, far more complex than he first appears. Beneath the sarcasm and cynicism lies a genuine sense of integrity, a ruthless commitment to justice and a fierce, if unspoken, loyalty to his team.

He’d probably deny that if you mentioned that to him though.

Because while Lamb is the opposite of what we imagine when we think of “executive presence,” he embodies the unshakable, results-driven and quietly commanding qualities that truly make leaders effective, especially in high-pressure, high-stakes environments.

Lessons in Executive Presence & Leadership from Jackson Lamb

So, what can we learn about executive presence and (unconventional) leadership from Jackson Lamb?

1. Commanding Authority Without Seeking It

Lamb never tries to impress anyone. If anything, he goes out of his way to repel people. Yet, when things go wrong, his team instinctively looks to him. His presence alone signals that he’s in control, no matter how chaotic the situation.

Leadership Lesson:

Executive presence isn’t about seeking authority. it’s about embodying it through competence and confidence.

2. Staying Unflappable Under Pressure

From hostage situations to MI5 conspiracies, Lamb never panics. While others scramble, he remains focused, cutting through the noise to find solutions. His ability to stay calm in chaos reassures his team, even if he’s insulting them at the same time.

Leadership Lesson:

True executive presence means exuding calm, no matter how high the stakes are. When leaders stay composed, others follow suit.

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3. Cutting Through Bureaucracy to Get Results

MI5’s leadership is often bogged down in politics, self-interest and cover-ups. Lamb, on the other hand, sidesteps the red tape and does what needs to be done even if it’s messy, unconventional or technically not allowed.

Leadership Lesson:

Strong leaders don’t get lost in bureaucracy. They focus on outcomes, not optics.

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4. Knowing Exactly When to Step In (and When to Step Back)

Lamb doesn’t micromanage. In fact, he often lets his team flounder until the moment it really matters. Then, he steps in with laser precision, making the right call at the right time. His interventions are always purposeful, not performative.?

Leadership Lesson:

Great leaders don’t hover. They empower their team, letting them learn from their own experience stepping in only when absolutely necessary.

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5. Seeing Potential Others Overlook

Slough House is filled with MI5 rejects: agents dismissed as failures. ?But Lamb sees their hidden potential, pushing them in ways they don’t always appreciate but that ultimately make them better. ?His team succeeds because he refuses to define them by their worst moments.

Leadership Lesson:

Leadership isn’t about managing the best people. It’s about bringing out the best in people.

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6. Speaking the Truth, No Matter How Uncomfortable

Lamb is blunt. Brutally so. But beneath the sarcasm and insults, his honesty is refreshing. He doesn’t waste time with corporate niceties, he tells people exactly what they need to hear, even when it stings.

Leadership Lesson:

Executive presence means having the courage to be direct. People respect leaders who tell the truth, not those who sugarcoat reality.

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7. Protecting His Team, Even When They Don’t Realise It

Lamb constantly belittles his team, but when they’re in danger, he moves mountains to protect them. Whether they realise it or not, he’s always two steps ahead, keeping them alive and out of MI5’s crosshairs. His loyalty isn’t loud, but it IS unwavering.

Leadership Lesson:

Real leaders don’t just support their people when it’s easy, they protect them when it’s hard.

8. Winning By Playing the Long Game

While others focus on short-term wins or office politics, Lamb sees the bigger picture. He anticipates moves long before his opponents do, staying one step ahead even when he pretends not to care. His success isn’t luck. It’s strategy.

Leadership Lesson:

The best leaders aren’t reactionary. They play the long game, always thinking several steps ahead.?

Final Thoughts - A Masterclass in Unconventional Leadership

Jackson Lamb may not be a conventional role model for leadership, but Slow Horses offers a masterclass in what real executive presence looks like.

It’s not about polish, perfection or even likeability. It’s about clarity, conviction and the ability to perform when it counts.

I'm not wishing time away but the release of series 5 and more Jackson Lamb this summer cannot come quickly enough!

Can a Leader Like Jackson Lamb Be a Model for Executive Presence?

What do you think? Can a leader like Jackson Lamb be a role model for executive presence?

Or is he just too far removed from what we expect leaders to be? Let me know in the comments.