The sublime ‘Slow Horses’ is an AppleTV adaptation of Mick Herron’s spy novel series. It follows a group of MI5 agents who, due to their various career mishaps, are banished to the rejects department known as “Slough House.”
Led by the abrasive and unorthodox Jackson Lamb, the team, nicknamed ‘Slow Horses,’ tackle menial tasks until they unexpectedly become involved in high-stakes espionage operations.
The gruff and politically incorrect leader of Slough House, Lamb, is a former high-ranking MI5 agent. He’s a genius in his own right but operates beyond what most would call acceptable behaviour. Lamb has a sharp mind and an irreverent attitude toward authority and leadership.
We’ve unpacked Lamb’s leadership qualities and imagined what his leadership model would look like.
Lamb’s Leadership Ledger
You’ve stumbled upon the closest thing to classified intel that’s ever leaked out of this sorry excuse for a government building (Slough House).
I’m Jackson Lamb, the unfortunate soul entrusted with whipping a bunch of misfit agents, known as the Slow Horses, into some semblance of an operative force.
Here’s an overview of my leadership framework.
Five Factor Framework
1. Build Resilience
Toughen Up: Train your team to handle chaos, setbacks, and disappointment.
Bounce Back: Instil the ability to bounce back and deliver under pressure.
2. Embrace Imperfections
Flaws: Recognise and accept the imperfections and past failings of your team members.
Strengths in Disguise: Understand that weaknesses can sometimes be transformed into strengths.
3. Unconventional Motivation
Sarcasm and Wit: Use methods like sarcasm, humour, and well-placed criticism to motivate.
Genuine Support: Balance tough love with genuine support and understanding.
4. Lead by Example
In the Trenches: Lead from the front by actively participating in the work and showing that you’re not above any task.
Earn Respect: Gain respect by demonstrating your willingness to get your hands dirty.
5. Learn from Mistakes
Admit and Learn: Acknowledge your own mistakes and encourage your team to do the same.
Continuous Improvement: Emphasise the importance of learning and growing from past failures.
Resilience leads
Resilience is at the heart of my framework. It encompasses my belief in embracingimperfections, my unorthodox methods of motivation, and my emphasis on learning from mistakes.
My leadership style thrives on the ability to bounce back, adapt, and persevere in the face of adversity, making resilience the central pillar of my unconventional leadership.
