Chief of the Air Staff Leadership Conference
18th and 19th September 2024
Leadership & Risk: Exploiting Opportunity in Uncertainty
This year we have elected to deliver the conference as a hybrid, maximising the benefit of both physical and virtual delivery. We hope that this extends the reach of this discussion to a wider audience whilst retaining the valuable opportunity for our Whole Force, from most junior to most senior, to network, discuss and engage on the vital topic of leadership.
Setting the scene: Decoding risk
Risk and uncertainty are not the same! Risk has the options and probabilities laid out to be analysed, with uncertainty this is impossible.
- More data does not always improve decisions in uncertainty. Gut instinct is a feeling generated by experience and an understanding of context which often leads to better and quicker decisions in uncertainty.
- Understanding the heuristics behind certain gut instincts enables them to be analysed robustly and then replicated.
- Psychological safety is key to encouraging a positive error culture, supporting heuristic-based decisions and the reduction of defensive decision making - a decision that is not optimised but more justifiable using a certain data set.
Human Risk: The risk of people doing things they shouldn't or failing to do things they should.
- A behavioural approach to compliance works with people rather than against them; think not about what we would like people to do but what they are likely to do.
- We should equip people to know when to follow the rules but also know what to do without them.
- Always try to look at the causes of problems. If one or two people break a rule, then you've probably got a people problem. If lots of people break the rule then there's a problem with the system.
Turning points: Shaping RAF risk culture
The Strategic Environment poses risks that have not been experienced in almost a century.
- In the light of this the evolution of our risk culture has arguably gone too far - it is time for a change.
- People's relationship with risk and uncertainty are key for the next evolution
- Delegate, trust, empower.
- Early exposure to risk and uncertainty
- Learn by doing, encourage to understand and manage risks.
- Comfortable with being uncomfortable.
- Learn how to find a route to YES.
- Rules don't always fit the context.
- Operating in Uncertainty: Understand the rules and intent, embody the RAF Values and train like it has all gone wrong
Failing intelligently: Embracing risk
Modern culture does not accept failure. Need to change this:
- Cultivate a growth mindset
- Be tough on thinking not people
- Create psychologically safe environment.
Pre-mortem risk thinking just as important if not more so than a post-mortem review.
- Maximise: Ensure every failure is maximally useful.
- Differentiate: We must learn from all failures yet not all failures are laudable.
Dealing with Defeat: Seek the positives, learn and let it go
- Culture, ethos and mindset are just as important to success as capability.
- Sport has the power to not only expose us to risk and uncertainty but offers an environment where our very character, skill set and values can be tested, pushed and developed, helping with our resilience and contributing ultimately to our operational success
Exploring the psychology: Risk perception
- Hardwired biases shape our behaviours
- Environment, context and character also shape our attitude to risk.
- Understanding these biases can help us steer away from them
- Focus on facts but acknowledge you can't know everything.
- Understand your triggers; the importance of self-reflection.
- Open yourself to different perspectives, cultivate a growth mindset
28th and 29th September 2023
Warfighter Ethos: The Leading Edge
Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Colonel Tim Collins were two of the inspirational speakers at the 2023 CAS Leadership Conference, held at Royal Air Force Cranwell on 28th and 29th September.
This is the first time the leadership conference has been held on an in-person basis in three years. In line with CAS’s direction that the RAF should be ready to fly and fight, the theme of this year’s conference was the ‘Warfighter Ethos: The Leading Edge’.
It’s easy to think that applying military capability is a physical act, but that’s only half the equation. The use of military capability must be underpinned by academic learning, leading to a deep understanding of leadership and what it means to be a warfighter, and lead warfighters at all levels; morally, intellectually, and physically.
Group Capt Emma Keith
RAF Tedder Academy
But the questions the conference addressed were: “What does the term warfighter mean in today’s world, and how can this concept be embodied throughout the RAF?” Helping the delegates to answer these questions were speakers with meaningful experience of leadership and warfighting.
Colonel Tim Collins, whose speech to the Royal Irish Regiment in Iraq has become almost legendary, spoke about building an organisation and his own experience in command of the Royal Irish Regiment. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world-famous explorer, spoke about his life, the importance of determination and the constant presence of risk in achieving objectives.
The conference which was attended by a genuine mix of ranks and professions, is organised by the Tedder Academy. The Tedder Academy of Leadership delivers world class leadership and command education and training for the RAF, for all ranks from AS1 to Air-Marshal.
This conference is about developing leaders and warfighters wherever they are in the Service. Remember, leadership is not just about rank; everyone is a leader in the Royal Air Force and there will be times when the urgent situations in which we find ourselves will require people to step forward.
Wing Commander Daniella Nowalski
Project Officer
Duncan Slater shows the vehicle he was in.
One of the most inspirational speeches came from Duncan Slater, a former RAF Regiment Sergeant, who lost both legs in the line of duty. After his injuries, Sgt Slater cycled from John ‘O’ Groats to Lands’ End, ran the London Marathon, the Marathon des Sables, and trekked across Antarctica. His presentation was based around the mindset needed to deliver and endure in the most challenging of circumstances.
The conference concluded with an address from the Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, and the presentation of the CAS Leadership Essay Award. The Tedder Leadership Talent Award was also presented.
Warfighter means to me that we are ready to Fly to Fight in the Royal Air Force. We all need to reflect on what we have heard over the last two days. Think about what you can do; challenge yourself and your leaders today, tomorrow and in the future.
Sir Richard Knighton
Chief of the Air Staff
21 September 2022
The Power of Trust
The 2022 Chief of Air Staff’s Leadership Conference will took place on 21st September 2022 and was delivered virtually, creating greater opportunity for attendance whether you are working remotely, at your home base or on operations overseas. The Conference included a mix of pre-recorded sessions and live discussion and debate from world-class military and civilian presenters.
It focused on:
- Trust in self
Lance Corporal Connor Roe will talk candidly about the trust needed in his own abilities when, in 2018, he was part of the successful rescue of 12 Thai children and their football coach from caves in Thailand.
You can watch more against-all-odds stories on Connor's daring rescue with Thirteen Lives on Amazon Prime Video and The Rescue on Disney+.
- Trust in Teams
The RAF Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, will explore the trust that is required within high-performing multidisciplinary teams. We will also hear from the Atlantic Flyers, a crew of novice RAF Rowers who took on a cross-Atlantic race in 2021.
- Societal Trust
We will explore the relationship of trust between organisations and individuals and the implications that has across wider society. This session will also consider where people gain their information and the trust that they place in it. We will be speaking with renowned speaker and business leader, Stephen M. R. Covey, the author of the bestselling book, The Speed of Trust and Trust & Inspire. There will also be opportunity for participants to reflect on how they can become more trusting and trustworthy.
For further information email: [email protected].
Read, Listen, Watch
The Read, Listen, Watch reading list has books, videos and audio material suggested to further your knowledge on this fascinating topic.
22 September 2021
#NextGenRAF: Decision Making: What Influences Us?
This 2021 Chief of the Air Staff's Leadership Conference was once again delivered virtually and discussed Decision Making: What Influences Us? The Conference provided an opportunity to consider what factors impact our daily decisions; how we approach those decisions and how we can be more effective, both personally and organisationally.
During the Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff's opening address, he advocated that whilst there are huge advances in technology, technology alone is not enough; it is what the culture of your organisation allows you to do with it, whether individually, or as a team, that really makes the difference. This is what the Tedder Academy describes as maintaining 'The Leading Edge.'
In a packed programme, noted academics, senior RAF Leaders, authors and Whole Force personnel gave their perspectives on this fascinating subject.
Using Zoom, presenters from across the Globe, were able to join the live Q & A sessions. Author Lynne Cazaly (Argh! Too much information, not enough brain: A practical guide to outsmarting overwhelm) joined the event from Australia and Blair Sheppard from the USA. Keynote Speaker, Joe Simpson, gave a live account of his dramatic experience during a mountaineering trip in the Andes. His compelling story encapsulates the power of mind set in decision-making and the story is one of climbing legend, becoming a best-selling book Touching The Void, translated into over 20 languages and the 90-minute documentary film of the book later won the 2004 BAFTA for Outstanding British Film.
In the final studio Q & A session, Group Captain Emma Keith, Commandant of Tedder Academy, was joined by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, former chairman of the Military Committee of NATO; the Chief of the Air Staff, Anna Keeling the Head of Boeing UK; and Blair Sheppard (Ten Years to Midnight) also joining from the USA, for an interactive discussion on decision-making in a global strategic landscape.
In Chief of the Air Staff’s closing comments, he once again praised the efforts of personnel from across the RAF, Defence and Government in Kabul in August, saying it was a remarkable achievement in the most testing of circumstances and that everyone ‘did us proud,’ and this was down to good leadership at every level.
Post Conference 2021 Summary Booklet is available to read.
Read, Listen, Watch
The Read, Listen, Watch reading list has books, videos and audio material suggested to further your knowledge on this fascinating topic.
Tedder Initiatives
TAL Performance Room
The Tedder Academy of Leadership Performance Room is the brainchild of K2 human performance experts who have worked in elite sports with the world's best athletes at the last five Olympic Games, leading global businesses over the last 12 years. In partnership, the Tedder Academy of Leadership has created the Performance Room, an online area where you can learn more about Leadership, Resilience, Mental Health, Mindset, Culture, Coaching, Performance Intelligence and much more.
The Performance Room also offers Whole Force personnel exclusive access to a Performance Expert via the 'Ask an Expert' facility. Contact Tedder Academy for further information.
Tedder Talks
The Tedder Talks are an interview masterclass series with leading figures in business, academia and the military. The discussion in each series is focused on a current and relevant topic of leadership, more recently linked to the annual CAS Leadership Conference. The interviews are conducted by Professor Craig Marsh, former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director of Lincoln International Business School and now of Liverpool Hope University.
Tedder Talks Series One:
Focuses on how we adapt to the changing workforce and work environment and the implications this creates for our leadership.
Tedder Talks Series Two:
Focuses on the leadership of organisational culture change, what is organisational culture, why change in organisational culture may be necessary and how culture change can be sustained.
Tedder Talks Series Three:
Focuses on 'Decision-making: What Influences Us?' and explores the broader context of decision making, what interferes with and impacts the decisions we make.
RAF MentorMe
As part of the RAF's continued drive for excellence in leadership at all levels, the Tedder Academy of Leadership has designed the 'RAF MentorMe' tool to assist Whole Force personnel in developing themselves and their careers. The scheme provides a framework to encourage personnel to engage with a personal Mentor, acting independently of the Chain of Command, to provide support, advice and constructive challenge in both personal and professional development.
Sponsored Courses
Chief of Air Staff Park Fellowships
The Chief of the Air Staff’s Fellowship, run by the Directorate of Defence Studies (RAF), offers a range of fellowships to strengthen the RAF’s intellectual capabilities. As part of this, the Tedder Leadership Academy sponsors the Park Fellowship, which allows RAF personnel to pursue part-time, Masters-level study at a university of their choice in a leadership-related field. This fellowship is available to both Regular and Reserve RAF personnel.
Windsor Leadership Trust Programmes
Senior RAF officers (Wing Commander and above) have the chance to stay up-to-date with new social, academic, and business trends. By participating in programs with the Windsor Leadership Trust, they gain valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking. RAF personnel interested in these programs must apply through the Tedder Academy of Leadership.
University Short Course Programmes
We offer our Leadership Instructors the chance to attend a university course focused on leadership each year. The goal is to help our instructors grow and learn new academic approaches to leadership. A different university and course are selected annually to provide a variety of perspectives.
The Tedder Academy also has strong partnerships with industry leaders like Human Alchemy, Partners for Leadership, Dr. Mark Batey, and others. These collaborations help us create and offer leadership development opportunities for the Whole Force.