The Habit of Excellence: Why British Army Leadership Works

by Lt Col Langley Sharp

The official British Army book on what makes its leadership so successful, and how to become a better leader yourself - whatever your field. ___________________'If you want to become a better leader, read this book' Eddie Jones'An extraordinary read for any leader. Truly brilliant' General Stanley McChrystal, author of Team of Teams'Excellent. Offers proven tools and strategies' Matthew Syed___________________ The Habit of Excellence is a unique insight into British Army leadership, explaining what makes it unique, what makes it so effective and what civilians can take from it to become better leaders themselves. Drawing on the latest research in military history, business, sociology, psychology and behavioural science, and with compelling illustration from British Army operations across the centuries, Lt Col Langley Sharp MBE goes beyond the latest leadership fads to distil into one peerlessly authoritative work the essence of leading and leadership from one of the world's most revered institutions.___________________'Excellent. It's hard to see how any leader, whatever their field, wouldn't benefit from reading and rereading it' New Statesman 'Offers lessons for all managers' Financial Times 'Valuable in any walk of life' General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff 'Very readable. I could not recommend this exceptional book more' General The Lord David Richards, former Chief of the Defence Staff 'Comprehensive and clearly written' Karin von Hippel, Director-General of RUSI 'Terrific. Full of insights and lessons' General David Petraeus, former Director of the CIA

Genres: Leadership

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2021

Reviews

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insight.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable insightful read into the differing leadership styles needed to succeed at varying levels of the British Army. While those who have served will undoubtedly relate, the leader who works in the private or public sector will be able to take much from this book. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was that it did get a bit repetitive towards the end, but a worthwhile read all the same.

[Steven Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Langley Sharp’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 came highly recommended from a trusted colleague across the water. Over the summer, I added it to the (growing) stack of book recommendations waiting on me to eventually read. I closed the book — literally — on 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 yesterday.

Sharp offers a compelling, if imperfect, window into British Army leadership — its ethos, evolution, and enduring relevance. Much of his focus is on mission command, values-driven leadership, and the tension between tradition and adaptability. It's a thoughtful exploration of the effectiveness, resilience, and transferability of uniformed leadership beyond military contexts. Drawing on centuries of operational experience and the Army’s own leadership doctrine, Sharp distills leadership into three core dimensions: what leaders are, what leaders know, and what leaders do. These pillars are framed not as static traits but as habits — cultivated through discipline, reflection, and shared values.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its emphasis on mission command. That's a foundational way to lead, one that is deeply rooted in trust, decentralized decision-making, and clarity of intent. Sharp argues that empowering subordinates to act independently within a clear framework is essential in volatile environments — a lesson equally applicable to corporate and civic leadership. That proves true in any profession.

One quote that encapsulates something that transcends formal authority: “Leadership is not about rank or position — it is about influence, integrity, and example.” True influence is earned through behavior, not bestowed by title — a principle that resonates across professions.

I found 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 to be familiar ground, but a valuable read just the same. Sharp won't tell you anything that should surprise you... it's the time to reflect on his ideas that will stand out to you.

[Jens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe from inside another Armed Forces it seemed a little hollow. Lots of chapters were closer to some idealized, rare form of combat leadership, than the every day routine. The author tried to touch upon some important challenges and changes, like generational differences and when the next deployment is not yet on the horizon. Yet, I'm still sitting on my hunger for some actionable advice.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this.
Concise and to the point.
Good examples and useful real world context.

[Rahim Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book, more leadership than army, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

[Jack Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

When looking at British history one can’t neglect the prodigious effect that the British Army has had on the country as a whole. When I talk of that I consider the exquisite leadership of Winston Churchill, an officer of the British Army. After reading this book one can see the reason the British Army has such an affect on society. But most importantly on a more microscopic level this book has intriguing implications on our own lives, if we really take time to consider what it is saying, because the teachings it expresses will have profoundly positive impacts on our lives if applied.