Leading like a Professional

- What a modern leader needs is the time-proven trinity of head, heart and balls! - Thomas Gast frequently taps into his tough times in the French Foreign Legion, and the anecdotes he relates and transfers into the realms of modern management serve to illustrate the importance of timeless virtues: Leading by example in fast-paced and volatile environments; learning to delegate; appreciating individuals and their skills when forging a team; creating corporate culture; taking pride in a code of honour and excellence, etc.

In February 1985, Thomas Gast joined the French Foreign Legion. Upon completion of his basic training, he was deployed to the Jungle Regiment in French Guiana (3. Foreign Infantry Regiment). In September 1987, aided by a German legionnaire officer, he managed to get into the only para regiment of the Foreign Legion (2. REP). He rose through the ranks, soon made sergeant and finally, after barely 11 years, he became a platoon leader and company sergeant major. After his service in the Legion, Thomas Gast spent a long time in security. He lived and worked in Saudi Arabia: as security staff. Client: Delegation of the European Commission at Riyadh. Haiti: as country manager, (CEO). Client: Delegation of the European Commission at Pétionville. Israel: as deputy country manager at the European Commission Technical Assistance Office, (ECTAO). Yemen: as security team leader, acting for a French company. Client: The Yemen Liquefied Natural Gas Project, (YLNG). Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, since 2004 to date: on behalf of a renowned British company, the author guards British vessels against pirate attacks as privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP). His book PRIVATE SECURITY is well and widely received amongst the security branches.