On Friday 10 October representatives from over a dozen Lowland-based companies were invited to attend a Leadership Academy hosted by Glasgow & Strathclyde Universities Officers’ Training Corps (GSUOTC).
This all-day event welcomed guests from organisations at various stages of their Defence Advocacy journey, from recent Armed Forces Covenant signatories to current Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award holders, offering them insights into military leadership styles and a unique networking opportunity with fellow Forces-friendly employers.
The course began with a series of briefings and workshops outlining how leadership is developed and strengthened within the British Army, the behaviours and mindsets needed to effectively manage teams through diverse challenges and how poor leadership can impact military operations.
After lunch the Leadership Academy took a more active turn as the teams of guests enjoyed a chance to put everything they had learned in their morning sessions into practice through a series of Command Tasks, each designed to test leadership, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
For each Command Task, the participating teams were instructed to appoint a Commander and a Second-in-Command who would be responsible for developing a strategy and briefing the rest of the group on their intended plan of action.
Each team then had to carry out their tasks within a set time limit and under supervision from GSUOTC staff and Officer Cadets, who then provided feedback on what each team did well and where there were areas for improvement.
‘It’s been a really interesting day as we’ve gone through the various workshops and physical activities,’ said Emma, a Senior Housing Officer at NG Homes, which received its ERS Gold Award in 2024. ‘It’s really encouraged us to think more in-depth about how to lead and manage teams in challenging circumstances and it’s been very beneficial for all of us.’
To find out more about learning and development opportunities within the University Officers’ Training Corps, click here.
