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The sixth module of the Total Defence: Leading Resilient Ukraine certificate programme focused on leadership as one of the fundamental pillars of the Total Defence concept. Participants explored the competencies leaders need to make decisions during prolonged war, sustain their teams, and build institutions capable of operating effectively under conditions of uncertainty.

The module examined contemporary leadership approaches relevant to public administration, the security and defence sector, business, and civil society.

Key topics included:

• leadership during wartime and post-war recovery;
• balancing centralisation and decentralisation in crisis management;
• principles of military command and their application beyond the defence sector;
• leading teams through prolonged periods of fatigue and uncertainty;
• trust as the foundation of effective leadership;
• moving from control-based management to collaboration and shared responsibility;
• building institutions that remain effective beyond individual leaders, political cycles, and periods of crisis.

Particular attention was given to leadership practices that enable organisations not only to respond effectively to immediate challenges but also to strengthen their long-term capacity for resilience, recovery, and sustainable development.

The module highlighted that Total Defence begins with people who are prepared to take responsibility, unite others around a shared purpose, and think strategically about the future. Strengthening leadership across sectors is therefore essential to building resilient institutions and enhancing Ukraine's long-term national resilience.