Building the Elite Podcast

James Jensen: "What's Important Now?" - Aussie SAS Leadership Lessons, Ep. 127

Episode 127

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 44:44

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 organizations.

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 organizations across many 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.


LEARN MORE ABOUT JAMES: 

K6 Consulting - https://k6consulting.com.au/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-jensen-a56440172/


TIMESTAMPS:

00:21 Introduction to James Jensen
01:49 What Did James Do in The Army?
06:30 From Officer to Enlistment - How Did that Process Affect James?
09:53 Being Concerned with Being Liked in Leadership
11:23 W.I.N. - What's Important Now
15:07 Develop and Maintain the Role of Calmness
19:32 Can Calmness Be Developed or is it Innate?
22:43 Timing a Joke with a Crew
24:02 Better Decision Making as a Leader
32:48 Routine with Feedback = Behavioral Change
33:49 Leadership is a Profession
36:33 Individuals Functioning as a Unit
41:35 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received
42:51 James' Book Recommendations 
44:18 Outro


Send us a message