Great leadership is a prerequisite for high performance.
James Jensen is a former SAS Patrol Commander with a unique blend of scientific leadership theory and real-world, high-stakes leadership experience.
James served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for two decades, with fourteen years in the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), where he held leadership roles during multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor, and the Philippines. Throughout his career, he worked in some of the world’s most challenging and high-pressure environments.
With over 20 years of experience leading and working within teams in dynamic, complex settings, James has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of great leadership. He has seen exceptional leaders elevate teams and positively impact individuals' lives, and he's also observed the devastating effects of poor leadership on both people and organisations.
James’s evolution from a junior leader in East Timor to leading some of Australia’s most elite teams reshaped his understanding of what true leadership means. Today, as a sought-after consultant, James works with organisations across various industries, helping leaders unlock their full potential and inspire greatness in their teams. His leadership expertise is still highly valued by the SAS, where he continues to train and mentor the next generation of SAS leaders.
Talking Points
Leadership
Drawing on experiences from high-stakes missions and lessons learned in the field, James delivers dynamic and engaging presentations that inspire action and resonate with your audience.Leadership
Whether speaking at large conferences, virtual events, or smaller team gatherings, James tailors his message to align with your company’s goals and values, ensuring the content is relevant and impactful.
Through compelling stories, James provides valuable insights into the importance of strong leadership, mental resilience, and cohesive teamwork. From grassroots organisations to multinational corporations, James adapts his delivery to meet the unique needs of your organisation.
Key Takeaways:
• Leadership lessons from the front lines and their application in business
• Leadership resilience and its impact on teams
• Strategies for leading through crises and uncertainty
• How to lead with presence.
• Planning and decision-making
• The critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership.
Team Forming and culture setting
In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to form high-performing teams quickly is essential for organisational success. Yet, many organisations waste time and resources when their teams fail to establish a strong team culture from the outset, leading to misalignment, poor collaboration, and unclear expectations. Team Forming and culture setting
As a former SAS Patrol Commander, James understands the challenge firsthand. Every year, he was tasked with quicky building a new team that could be trusted with some of Australia’s most high-stakes and sensitive missions.
In this keynote, you’ll learn strategies for forming cohesive, high-performing teams. Whether you’re in a corporate boardroom or a high-stakes operational environment, the principles James used to create mission-ready teams can be applied to any organisation seeking to build a culture of excellence and accountability.
Key Takeaways
- How to harness the full power of your team’s collective intelligence and foster ownership and accountability from the outset.
- Learn why discussing failure and expectations is critical to building trust, and how to make it part of your team culture.
- Proven strategies to create an environment where ownership, accountability, and high performance thrive.
This keynote is ideal for leaders looking to elevate team performance and build a culture that drives innovation and results—whether you’re managing a small team or an entire organisation.
Leadership Evolution
James’s leadership journey has been shaped by his experiences in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Each deployment forced him to evolve his understanding of leadership, learning new lessons with every mission. In recent years, he has deepened this knowledge by integrating cutting-edge research from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural economics, allowing him to blend real-world leadership with modern science.Leadership Evolution
In this keynote, James will share the lessons he’s learned about how leaders can build trust, get the most out of your people and adapt to changing situations.
Key Takeaways:
• Discover key lessons that can fast-track leaders’ growth.
• Learn why one of the biggest leadership myths is holding you back—and how to break free from it.
• Insights on how to build a high-performance culture that drives continuous improvement.
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your leadership journey, this keynote will provide actionable insights to help you grow, inspire your team, and pursue excellence in every aspect of your leadership.
