Leadership
The leadership assessment looks for evidence that you can take charge of a small team, communicate clearly and stay calm when a plan fails. Formats typically include a group discussion, a command or outdoor task, a planning exercise, a short lecturette and a leaderless group task, observed throughout by assessors who mark behaviour rather than opinions.
What is assessed
- Initiative: does something need doing, and do you start it?
- Communication: briefs clearly, confirms understanding, listens and keeps the team informed.
- Teamwork: brings quiet members in, gives credit, and manages disagreement without personal conflict.
- Moral courage: corrects unsafe or unethical behaviour even when it is unpopular.
- Adaptability: changes the plan when it fails instead of defending it.
A workable framework
Use SMEAC for any task: Situation, Mission, Execution (plan and individual tasks), Administration and logistics, Command and signal. Brief in under two minutes, set checkpoints, appoint a timekeeper, then debrief what worked, what did not, and what you would change.
Worked example
A command task requires moving a sandbag “casualty” across a marked “minefield” using a plank and two ropes in ten minutes. A strong candidate restates the mission, assigns roles by ability rather than friendship, sets a safety rule that nobody crosses the line, calls a time check at five minutes, and changes technique when the first attempt slips. Assessors credit the safe, adaptive, inclusive attempt more than a lucky success achieved by one person shouting.
Traps that cost marks
- Dominating the discussion and cutting others off.
- Ignoring safety - usually an immediate failure of the task.
- Freezing when the first plan fails, or blaming teammates.
- Speaking only to the most confident member of the group.
Volunteer for responsibility, then make the rest of the team look good.