Interview with Colonel Bob Stewart

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Colonel Bob Stewart, who completed 26 years army service and was the first British battalion commander in Bosnia, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He is currently an independent consultant specializing in political and security matters, Vice President of the United Kingdom National Defence Association and President of Action for Armed Forces.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.

Findings

Colonel Bob Stewart provides a very honest, personal account of what it's like to be a leader on the frontline, detailing essential qualities and skills relevant to every leader or manager by drawing on his own experience, both in the army and in business, highlighting the key attributes he believes any leader should have.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

riginality/value

This interview suggests that each person has the capacity to lead and can learn how to lead, by analysing what they're required to do, assessing the intelligence, (the situation that they see on the ground) and reacting accordingly.

Citation

(2010), "Interview with Colonel Bob Stewart", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 24 No. 5, pp. 36-37. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777281011069844