Remembrance Day 2024 - From Camouflage to Conference Rooms: Leadership Skills that Transcend

At t-three and Kiddy & Partners , we specialise in leadership assessment and development, which got us thinking about what effective leadership looks like in other fields. This Remembrance Day, we wanted to explore how leadership is fostered in the military and identify the key attributes that are crucial and cultivated during service.??

This has provoked a discussion within t-three and Kiddy & Partners employees who have either served themselves or are close to those in service. Roxy Bradley, Graphic Designer at t-three, shares her thoughts on leadership lessons that she has learnt through a loved one in service. She told us ‘Although I’m not in the military, being closely connected to someone who serves often extends that sense of service to family and friends. Whether supporting at home or engaging in the community, you become part of that world. Attending service events and family days introduces you to leaders and veterans, sparking conversations filled with captivating stories about their service, teams, and mentors. Over the years, watching my husband move and grow within different branches has given me insight into the profound impact of military leadership on personal and professional growth. The leadership and teamwork are truly inspiring and motivate you to learn from them.’??

Roxy went on to tell us about one standout example being, the Army’s Outreach Team. She commented, ‘They work with schools, youth groups, and charities to run Elite Skills courses that build teamwork and personal development. These courses use time-based problem-solving and communication challenges to teach leadership and teamwork, giving participants valuable skills early on as they prepare for the workforce.’??

Another friend of the t-three community is a current member (serving since 2008, now in the RAVC); he shared how his experience with the Outreach Team inspired him to pursue a career in service skills education and leadership. He told us, “The team I’m part of has allowed me to grow in ways I never expected. Seeing how our training courses boost participants’ confidence and skills is incredibly rewarding. It shows how crucial leadership development is. I believe good leadership can be cultivated through dedication, and I’m proud to contribute to that. My current Staff Sergeant is a great example—he prioritises our growth, encourages individual strengths, and fosters a positive, trusting team environment.”??

Core attributes shaped by service: What defines military leadership???

We also asked the opinion of our own ex-military employee and t-three Senior Consultant Jerry Cartwright .?He said, “As a former British Army Officer, my life has been shaped and sculpted by my military experiences. After completing my training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), I served as a member of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment for 16 years. My role was to “Serve to Lead”.???

There are many definitions of military leadership. It requires the building of morale, discipline, mutual respect and comradeship. I rate comradeship above all. It is based on affection and trust, which produces an atmosphere of mutual goodwill and a feeling of interdependence.? Trusting in your fellow soldiers is key to success, and relying on each other, no matter where or what you might be facing is essential.????

It brings to mind the quote, “No man is a leader until he is ratified in the minds and hearts of his men” Field Marshal Slim 1957.???

In 2000, I left the forces and sought out a career where I could utilise my “transferrable skills” to the?best effect. After undertaking much additional study and various roles in different commercial organisations between 2000 and 2016, I was fortunate to be accepted at t-three as a Senior Consultant, and this is where those transferrable skills have proved vital to my success.????

Today, my role requires me to design, develop and deliver leadership and management-facilitated sessions to help people build the skills necessary to lead effectively and impactfully. Any success I have had has utilised those transferrable skills. Namely, an ability to help others understand the importance of communicating with clarity, taking accountability and ownership as relevant, being resilient and helping enable others to understand the importance of true collaboration. In essence, it boils down to leading authentically (open, honest, genuine, transparent) and helping others to adopt a “we”, not “me” approach.????

Remembrance Day 2024, I am reminded to be grateful for all the relationships built with all those I served with. There were some difficult times (we all have those!), but my abiding memory is of the fun, job satisfaction and camaraderie that I?endured, no matter the circumstances. Today, I count myself fortunate to have found a “civilian” organisation in t-three that helps me to “Serve to help others Lead.”????

So, what does this teach us? While it's easy to notice big, standout moments of leadership, true teamwork is often built into the everyday, quieter moments. Take the Army’s monthly Commanding Officer’s (CO) Challenge, for instance. Instead of the usual PT session, teams compete in fun activities like Tug of War for the CO’s trophy. This simple shift transforms a routine task into an exciting event that fosters communication, resilience, and teamwork, all working toward a shared goal.?

So, what makes this work? The answer points to a familiar theme here at t-three: good leadership behaviours are essential to making organisations work. Effective teamwork isn’t automatic—it’s developed through leadership that fosters communication, collaboration, and adaptability, especially in challenging situations. Teams perform best when led by those who encourage open communication and nurture a resilient mindset. This kind of environment isn’t just seen in the Army; it’s a core aspect of leadership development that t-three champions, showing that teamwork and leadership behaviours like resilience, clear communication, and trust can indeed be taught and developed.??

We hope that you join us today in honouring not only the veterans (and service animals) who have served but also those in active service who continue to inspire their teams each day and continue to give back to their communities and their organisations.?