An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 32 | LEADERSHIP The quote above from Stephen R. Covey of the '7 habits of highly effective people' fame, reminds us that we are all leaders regardless of appointment. In the next in our Leadership series we continue with this thesis and remind ourselves of a number of historical examples of leadership demonstrated by members of our Defence Forces. As in our previous article, we have used our Defence Forces values as the basis to select these vignettes from our Leadership Doctrine. DEFENCE FORCES VALUES Our Leadership Doctrine is values-based and tells us that our values must be developed, fostered and demonstrated by leadership at all levels and in all contexts. Defence Forces leaders instil values in individuals during their induction in order to meet the expectations of the organisation and Irish Society. In a fundamental sense effective leadership is about the creation, expression, safeguarding and preservation of values. Our values must be clearly known, understood and nurtured. We must live by them. In this edition we have used the Defence Forces value of physical courage as the theme to select historical examples of our personnel demonstrating leadership. PHYSICAL COURAGE Military duty by its very nature may require us to operate in physically demanding and potentially life-threatening situations. Physical courage means overcoming fear in those situations when faced with bodily harm. We must possess sufficient physical and mental endurance, toughness, resilience perseverance and strength of character not only to survive, but to operate effectively in dangerous conditions and successfully complete the mission. 32 | LEADERSHIP THROUGH PHYSICAL COURAGE BY THE LEADERSHIP DOCTRINE WORKING GROUP HISTORICAL VIGNETTE 3 Private Thomas Metcalfe BMC B Coy, 5 Battalion, 25 July 1981 Leadership is about balance. It's knowing when to push yourself to the forefront, to lead by example. But somewhat counterintuitively, it is also about knowing when to take a step back and provide your team with the freedom and resources to achieve the mission. For a leader to be effective, those around them must trust their ability and judgement. This can be achieved by demonstrating the former, leading from the front. The Naval Service Diving Section combined diving course is a prime example. It is a course where students are pushed to their absolute limits physically and mentally. Many people ask how or what set me apart. How was I able to pass a course that many men before me had not? The answer is simple, NOTHING. All candidates are held to the same exact standards, and are expected to be capable of conducting the same roles. Students are held to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and humility. For one to achieve in this environment, they must prove that they are able to thrive as part of a team under immense pressure. Leadership in this context must be displayed by everyone, be willing to push past all preconceived limits and bring their "buddy" along with them. The water is cold, dark and intimidating sometimes all that you have to hold onto is the reassuring pull of your buddy at the other end of your swim line. Whether you are the president of a company or the janitor, the moment you step from independence to interdependence in any capacity, you step into a leadership role. You are in a position to influence people. — STEPHEN R. COVEY, DEFENCE FORCES LEADERSHIP DOCTRINE P.17 " " Everything depends on our values – they are the key factor in successful leadership, which drives transformation, which in turn enables capability and mission success. This is why values-based leadership is so important in everything we do. — MAJOR GENERAL ADRIAN Ó'MURCHÚ DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF (SUPPORT) " " — Pte Thomas Metcalfe BMC (Retd) Pte Metcalfe was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry (with Merit). Citation: "For an act of exceptional bravery and with little regard for his own safety, on the 25 July 1981, in Portlaoise Prison during an outbreak of fire, he voluntarily scaled a forty foot high drainpipe in darkness, and succeeded in rescuing a comrade soldier trapped on a blazing rooftop" DF Troops on Exercise

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