In boardrooms and workplaces, as in war zones, there is a simple truth: leaders must make hard decisions. It’s only through timely decision-making and clear, considered strategy that leaders can cut through ambiguity and chaos - and protect their people and their organisation. With Best Possible Outcome, you’ll learn how the military cultivates the mindset, the people, and the processes that ensure success even in tough times. What’s more, you’ll discover how to systematically implement those lessons within your business.
With over 25 years’ experience in the Australian Army, from on-the-ground combat to intelligence, Lieutenant Colonel Garth Callender has learned what it takes. In Best Possible Outcome, he shares remarkable stories from his time in service and delivers insightful lessons about risk, resilience, and agility. You’ll discover a pragmatic, three-pillar leadership framework that allows leaders in any field to embrace challenges, drive innovation, and maximise results. Ultimately, you’ll establish a system that ensures the best possible outcome in any situation.
Develop the mindset and leadership skills essential for: - Understanding and managing real risk - Building organisational resilience - Making difficult ethical decisions - Staying ahead of the competition - Achieving success under pressure and despite uncertainty
From managing risk on the streets of Afghanistan to unpacking what insurgents know about organisational agility, Garth shows how the skills used to lead teams in military conflict can improve organisational responsiveness. Best Possible Outcome will show you how to lead strategically, assess outcomes clearly, and establish a pathway out of vulnerability and crisis.
Table of Contents
About the Author vii
Prologue ix
Introduction xvii
Pillar I: The optimal mindset 1
1 Lead with a risk mindset 3
2 Ethics and calibrating your moral compass 21
3 Think, plan and lead strategically 35
4 Trust your instincts 41
5 Communicate with a strong, clear voice 47
6 Leading with a clear and unbiased view 57
Pillar II: The right team 65
7 Observations on building teams 67
8 The value of a cognitively diverse team 79
9 Keep your team informed and communicating 87
10 Stay ahead of the competition 97
11 Promote a resilient team 105
12 Stress test your plan 121
13 Expect the unexpected 129
Best Possible Outcome
Pillar III: The BPO Method 135
14 Understand and prepare for uncertainty 137
15 Battle preparation 145
16 Observe your competitive environment 151
17 Orient your team 157
18 Making decisions in a crisis 165
19 Execute the plan, monitor the battle, reflect and regroup 175
Epilogue 181
Acknowledgements 185
