[ I N - D E P T H
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S A M
M C G R AT H ]
to a mentality forged in the army
and sharpened with each subse-
quent life experience thereafter.
Now adding published author
to his growing list of accomplish-
ments, his story has become as
compelling as it is inspiring. For
the dedication, philosophy and
mental strength which underline
his countless successes are attain-
able, trainable and - perhaps most
importantly - relatable.
“If you saw my high school
grades and final report, you’d see
nothing noteworthy and precious
few achievements,” he explains.
“But since then all I’ve done is
attempt to turn weaknesses into
to strengths; which has gone from
being an act to a habit.”
Ready for anything
History has always celebrated the
narratives of war heroes. Through-
out the world their stories have
even served to inspire entire na-
tions. These days, most household
names tend to hail from sporting
arenas or our TV screens, but there
still remains a profound respect
and appreciation of the military
within our societies. This comes
from the bravery, discipline and
work-ethic traits associated with a
“The uncourageous don’t
try and the weak give in.”
54 // TheTRADE // Spring 2020
soldier. Qualities we all aspire to possess.
The army distilled these characteristics within
McGrath from the outset, building up his mental
fortitude and leadership skills during his training and
early years within the Parachute Regiment. For those
unfamiliar with unit, it is known for being formed in
the storms of war and becoming Winston Churchill’s
spearhead unit for the most dangerous military op-
erations. On the surface, the regiment is synonymous
with the act of parachuting, but for those who know it
well, the association is more with teamwork and the
division's mantra of: ready for anything.
Training for this is no breeze, even by the army’s
standards. Unlike conventional soldiers, paratroopers
must be able to perform with just the equipment they
carry on their backs, they are dropped into uncertain
situations following dangerous and uncomfortable
journeys and resupply is often only available by air.
Even after months of training, they are put through
a Test Week with 12 hand-picked instructors to de-
termine their selection. This monumental challenge
consists of eight separate mentally and physically
enduring events, and anyone who does not perform
to the required level will fail the course. Not only did
McGrath successfully complete the infamously rigor-
ous training for the Paras, he was selected to command
it 10 years after passing.
His military career went on to include tours of
Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan in a decade
where McGrath had become one of the youngest
officers to reach the rank of major since World War II,
it’s safe to say he came into the capital markets with a
legacy.
“The Parachute Regiment was an incredible training
ground for leadership. It equipped me to tackle one-off
complex projects with the highest possible stakes amid
severe time, information and resource constraints,”
McGrath says. “I’m in no doubt this skillset has helped
turbo charge my second career - even if I’ve had to
moderate my approach to the competition.
“At a team management level, I believe leading elite
soldiers and elite bankers requires many of the same
traits. When you have a group of highly capable and
motivated people, the more you maximise autonomy
and accountability, the more you collectively achieve.
So, I try to lead more like a gardener than a chess
master - giving my people space to operate along with
enough stress and praise for them to blossom.”
A new challenge
McGrath’s career in financial markets was by no
means handed to him, and it was probably the familiar