The Royal Navy Leadership Centre of Excellence

Leadership is everyone's responsibility

Leadership is an essential function of the Royal Navy and its effective operation. As such, the highest standards are expected from all leaders at all levels throughout the Service.

As part of the First Sea Lord’s commitment to enhancing leadership cultures across the Service, the Royal Navy Leadership Centre of Excellence (RNLCoE) has been established based at Navy Command Headquarters. Serving as the leadership think tank for the Service, it provides resources and support to all leaders’ continuous professional development. Through events and opportunities for discussion and reflection, the small and dedicated team supports leaders across the Whole Force in their personal duty to inspire our people and enhance the People Component of Operational Capability.

First Sea Lord's Leadership Conference 2022

Every year, the Royal Navy Leadership Centre of Excellence team hosts the First Sea Lord's Leadership Conference. This year's takes place on Wednesday, March 30th 2022.

Shortly after, you will be able to access edited highlights right here, including: Discussions, Presentations and Key Action Points.

group of navy personnel preparing on board
ratings with sunlit, gleeful faces sharing a joke

Leadership is the combined effect of knowledge, character, and action needed to inspire, develop and empower others to succeed their collective purpose

The Five Pillars of Leadership

Five Foundational Pillars

As leaders, we must embrace our duty to inspire our diverse teams to produce exceptional results through a People-Centred approach. This approach consists of five foundational pillars:

Living and leading

Our core values

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Pillar One

Living and leading our core values consistently, all the time:

 > Commitment
 > Courage
 > Discipline
 > Respect for Others
 > Integrity
 > Loyalty

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Self-leadership

And being responsible

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Pillar Two

Self-leadership as naval 
professionals, each 
of us owning, and 
being responsible for 
our own choices and 
behaviours.

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Leading others

By supporting and inspiring

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Pillar Three

Leading others by
role-modelling self-leadership, 
and by supporting 
and inspiring those 
we lead with respect, 
trust, inclusion, and 
empowerment.

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Command climates

With opportunities for all

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Pillar Four

Building successful 
command climates 
to provide the 
opportunity for all 
those under our 
Command to thrive.

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Leading the Organisation

For everyone to excel

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Pillar Five

Leading the Organisation 
by providing the 
architecture, policies, 
strategies, tools and 
support to optimise the 
performance of everyone 
in the Royal Navy.

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two rfa personnel members smiling to camera on board

Leadership has many different facets, but trust, inclusion and communication are key. If we don’t listen and communicate effectively with our people, then how can we expect to lead them through challenges and adversity? If we don’t trust them and they don’t trust us, how can we empower them to be their best selves? Generating an inclusive environment and sense of belonging will make our people feel valued and ensure that they become excellent leaders and excellent team members.

Contact the Royal Navy Leadership Centre of Excellence Team

Our team is committed to continually strengthening leadership within the Royal Navy. If you would like to learn more, get involved, or if you have any questions, please let us know.

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Leaders are Made in the Royal Navy

Our people are born everywhere.
Our leaders are Made in the Royal Navy.

What type of leader could you become?
Read our people’s stories – and start leading your own.

TAKE THE LEAD