What D-Day Still Teaches Us About Leadership Under Fire

At 12:16 a.m. French time on June 6, 1944, British glider troops began landing in Normandy. It was the opening act of the largest seaborne invasion in history—the beginning of the end of Nazi tyranny.

Nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed that day. Among them were men like Mr. Arthur Middleton, a British infantryman who landed in the first wave on Juno Beach. I was privileged to hear his story firsthand. With a faraway look and pain in his eyes, he described how friends fell beside him—some to enemy fire, others crushed by the tragic momentum of Allied tanks that couldn’t stop on the bloodied sands.

D-Day isn’t just history. It’s a masterclass in what leadership really means:

– Having clarity of mission in chaos

– Trusting your team with your life

– Taking responsibility even when the risk is overwhelming

As an executive coach and former officer, I see this mirrored in the modern workplace—not in war zones, but in boardrooms, courtrooms, and crisis meetings. Great leaders don’t wait for perfect conditions. They act with courage, conviction, and care—often without knowing the outcome.

This week, as we honour those who led on D-Day, I invite you to reflect:

     •           Where in your life are you being called to lead?

     •           Are you clear on your mission?

     •           Are you building the kind of trust that endures under pressure?

 If you’re ready to lead with greater purpose and resilience, I support lawyers, executives, and business owners across the UK and the US through tailored executive coaching.

 Learn more by having a complimentary conversation.