Andrew Leslie
Andrew Leslie has been a soldier, business leader, Federal parliamentarian, Chief Government Whip and board director with corporate, charitable and government organizations. He has extensive training and speaks to large and varied audiences about lessons in practical leadership under extraordinary stress; how to build a strong team; the art of helping your organization transform; the do’s and don’ts of strategic planning; and Canada’s place in the world with a special knowledge of Canada-US relations.
His 35-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces involved motivational and adaptive leadership at every level, especially as the Commander/CEO of the Canadian Army for four years during the latest Afghan War, where he was responsible for the leadership of 57,000 people, their equipment, training, a multi billion-dollar budget and related equipment programs: he was subsequently appointed the Chief of Transformation for the Department of Defence and the Canadian Forces.
Speaking topics
- Corporate Change and Lessons in Transformation
This keynote is from somebody who has been part of and successfully led transformative efforts in multi-cultural and extraordinarily diverse organizations ranging from 100 to 57,000 people both in peace and war, and learnt even more lessons in failing to successfully assist in the transformation of an even larger organization…
The importance of great communications and even better listening skills to both the good and bad, leveraging diversity and differing cultural backgrounds and experiences to develop a bigger, better view, effective team building that brings people together instead of reinforcing the silos, the criticality of having clear and readily understood goal, and examples of what can happen if you do (or don’t) follow these lessons.
- Leadership that can Produce Growth
This keynote is from a leader who has led in both peace and war within the Canadian Armed Forces, United Nations and NATO organizations; as a senior corporate executive and board director for various corporations from small to large; and as Federal Member of Parliament and Chief Government Whip whom the Prime Minster asked to focus Canada-US relations and trade during the latest NAFTA renegotiations.
Successful corporate growth is almost impossible without effective leadership, and successful leaders should never stop learning and growing. Using practical examples from both peace and war, and life within the corporate and political training grounds, the methods and techniques of helping leaders at all levels grow will be explored with a focus on building from the ground up, the criticality of the team, seeking out and celebrating differing leadership cultures and expectations, the importance of listening, and the role, value and examples of successful mentoring.
- The War in Ukraine and Why it Matters to All of Us
This keynote if from a former Army Commander and Federal Parliamentarian who specializes in the study of conflict, trade, governance and international affairs.
Why and how it started, what is happening now, the implications for global peace and security, what does it mean for Canada and you, and what may happen next. A fascinating and chilling look at the horrific events taking place in Ukraine, and why we as Canadians should pay attention to something that is already changing the global face of international alliances, respect for the rule of international law, and the impacts on all elements of the supply chain.