Military Leadership and Teamwork - Lessons for Businesses

Bursting with stories aimed to inspire, we thought it would be the perfect time to celebrate those who have not only served, but who continue to share military leadership  and teamwork  lessons with the world. With themes including  motivation , risk mitigation and high-pressure decision making, sit back and open your eyes to the possibilities these military leadership speakers could bring to your event.

Neil Laughton

Do you know what it’s like to be not only a helicopter pilot and SAS Officer, but also an award-winning entrepreneur? That is exactly what Neil Laughton  is! Currently the CEO of Laughton & Co, a training and development business, he is passionate about travel and adventure. This love has taken him to over 50 countries and has completed the Explorers Grand Slam – climbing the highest mountain on each continent and skiing to both poles. Sharing his unique military, business and adventurous life stories, he wins over and inspires audiences with bounds of humour and self-deprecation.

Dr Saleyha Ahsan

A practising emergency medicine doctor, broadcaster and a former British Army officer, there isn’t a lot that Dr. Saleyha Ahsan can’t do! Serving for three years as a medical support officer, she was inspired by the work done by army doctors that she applied and studied medicine at Dundee. In 2018, she was awarded her honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, by her alma matar in recognition of her humanitarian and media work. With the incredible ability to give insights into the medical world of some of the most war-torn areas, Saleya enables professionals to improve medical practice in war torn and developed nations.

Ben McBean

A true survivor story, Ben McBean survived after a Taliban landmine left him a double amputee and turned his life around to become a self-made millionaire. After a gruelling five weeks in intensive care and 10 months of rehab, he managed to run the London Marathon 12 months later. Leaving the army and everything he had worked so hard for 2 years after almost losing his life, he invested £300k of compensation money on a 25-bedroom house. Making 500k profits in the first year, he was hooked on the entrepreneur life. A true ambassador of making your own fortune and turning setbacks around, Ben’s story is a remarkable one.

Stuart Tootal

An expert in security and leadership in the face of adversity, Colonel Stuart Tootal was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his outstanding leadership in Afghanistan. With 1,200 soldiers, Stuart held isolated locations against relentless attacks where 3 PARA became engaged in an intensity of combat not experienced by the British Army since the Korean War. The award of 32 gallantry decorations to 3 PARA, including a Victoria Cross and George Cross, are testimony to the ferocity of the fighting, management of extreme risk and the life and death decisions Stuart made daily.

Chris Hadfield

Intercepting Soviet bombers in Canadian airspace, living on the ocean floor, Director of Operations for NASA in Russia are just some of the situations that astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield experienced. As the first fully qualified Canadian Space Shuttle crew member, he has boarded a Russian spacecraft, has done two spacewalks and is the first Canadian to command a spaceship. A heavily decorated astronaut, engineer, and pilot, Chris was named the Top Test Pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy and has been inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. Inspiring audiences with An Astronaut’s Guide on Earth, he delves into leadership and managing change, and his passion for science and tech.

Kevin Lacz

Illustrating the pitfalls of becoming too comfortable in a situation, former Navy SEAL, NYT best-selling author and co-star of American Sniper, Kevin Lacz shows the importance of identifying, mitigating, and overcoming risks. Stunning audiences with anecdotes of dynamic warfare, training, and special operations, he teaches his audiences the importance of remaining vigilant and meeting opportunity when it arises. The quote Life begins at the end of your comfort zone is a SEALs mantra, and Kevin shows how they find comfortability with being uncomfortable.

Russ Laraway

Starting his career as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, Russ Laraway lead 175 combat Marines as an infantry company commander. Post Marines, Russ co-founded Pathfinders who helps companies become more efficient through supply chain consulting. Obtaining an MBA from The Wharton School of Business in 2005, he then joined Google in the sales and marketing sphere and helped everyone from global companies with thousands of partners, to the smallest companies around the world. In 2012, Russ founded the Small and Medium advertiser business for Twitter, which services 130,000 advertisers worldwide.

Chris Hunter

The title of Bomb Disposal Specialist isn’t one that you come across often. Chris Hunter is a former British Army Intelligence Officer and as you can imagine, is an expert on leadership and high-pressure decision making. Spending 14 years in the British Army, Chris became the most experience counter-terrorist bomb disposal specialist in Iraq. Playing an instrumental role during the 2005 London bombings, he was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal by HM Queen Elizabeth II for his actions in his Iraq tour. He now provides specialist consulting services and trains members of the US Department of Defence and has written memoirs of his experiences.

David Marquet

The author of Turn the Ship Around: How To Create Leadership at Every Level, Captain David Marquet single-handedly turned his ship around when he became captain of the USS Santa Fe, a nuclear submarine. Ranked last in retention and operation standings, he turned his sub from the worst to the best performer with his bold leadership approach, starting with increasing the happiness levels of the crew and treating them as leaders and not followers. David addresses audiences who want to create empowering work environments that release the passion, initiative, and intellect of everyone on their team.

Nicky Moffat

Having a successful 27-year career in the Armed Forces, Nicky Moffat shares her unique insights into leadership, training and people development as well as policy and financial roles. As Army Capability Director in the rank of Brigadier, she was the most senior woman in the army. Nicky was responsible for the leadership, professional output and standards of 4500 officers and soldiers, and for delivering major business change. In 2012 she was appointed Commander of the British Empire in recognition of her works, and now works in sectors as diverse as financial services, oil and energy, transport, media, technology and law.

Dan Ward

Serving for more than 20 years as an engineering officer in the US Air Force, Dan Ward specialised in leading high-speed, low-cost technology development programs. Retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Afghanistan, he launched Dan Ward Consulting LLC to help clients reduce the cost, time, and complexity of delivering world-class innovations. Holding three engineering degrees, Dan wrote F.I.R.E.: How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained, and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation and The Simplicity Cycle: A Field Guide To Making Things Better Without Making Them Worse.

I hope, like us, you can see the endless benefits these speakers possess. With enriching stories paired with some of the best leadership and teamwork advice for businesses, these are only a selection of the incredible experts available.

For further information or to book a speaker, call us on   or email  info@speakerscorner.co.uk .

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