Jon Everett FIoL.
Managing Director at LoadPoint Ltd & Veteran.
What do you do now?
I'm currently the Managing Director at Loadpoint Ltd, a Trustee of Support Staffordshire, and I also volunteer as a Mentor for the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.
Where did your career start?
I followed in my father's footsteps by joining the Armed Forces, but much to his dismay chose the Army rather than the RAF. I spent 18 years serving around the world with some incredible and inspirational people.
Has there been a stage in your life where you first appreciated what great leadership looked like?
The first time I fully appreciated great leadership was during my first tour as a young Captain with 29 Commando Regiment RA, where I was fortunate enough to serve under an outstanding Commanding Officer. An SAS qualified soldier and ex-Squadron Commander, he combined an extraordinary combination of professionalism, determination, humility, integrity, and approachability, that enabled him to inspire trust from those that he led.
Do you have any examples of what you have done to develop yourself as a leader?
The best form of development is to learn from practical examples of good and bad leadership, of which I've seen plenty in both my military and commercial career. I've also been fascinated by different leadership styles, especially servant leadership and values-based leadership; as a consequence I interviewed 16 senior leaders across the public and private sector on their values for my MBA dissertation, focusing on where they had put their careers on the line when their work strongly conflicted with their values. This was a fascinating insight to how effective leaders tackle 'wicked' problems and was more valuable than devouring any stack of leadership books.
How do you think Leadership has benefitted you?
I have been extremely fortunate to benefit from three superb leaders who have inspired, guided and often mentored me during important periods of my life. In the military my inspiration was the officer I mentioned earlier, in the commercial world it's a mentor who has been a successful CEO and Chair of FTSE companies, and in my personal life I have had constant leadership guidance and inspiration from my father. Although I have held leadership positions, I'm still on a development journey, so none of my failings can be laid at their door. However, if I can one day inspire anyone in the way they have inspired me, then it would be a memorable milestone in that journey.