James presents ideas taken from his time in the British Army and adapts them to the modern workplace. His primary focus is on using military training and techniques to create effective, functional teams that produce results regardless of the team dynamic. He leverages lessons learned during his time skiing over 2,000 miles in the Arctic and extremely cold weather conditions and demonstrates how they apply to the less extreme workplace. The content of his talks includes leadership from the extremes, working alone in inhospitable locations and preparation for working in hostile environments.

In addition, he explains the impact of a near-fatal brain injury – memory loss, ADHD-like symptoms, and the constant battle with apathy – and demonstrates how simple tools and techniques can be used to enhance everyone’s focus and output.

His experience has relevance for a range of leadership areas:

Developing strategic thinking and planning
Building and developing effective teams
Motivational skills
Overcoming difficulties and building resilience
Developing a high-performance culture through objective setting and monitoring performance
Developing an innovation culture