Review: ‘Extreme Ownership’

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

I needed this book, and I suspect you do too. However, I plan to nap after completing it because it is intense. And in a good way. Leadership is a privilege, and this book highlights how important strong leadership is in lifting the team to do their best work. Each chapter is broken down into a “War Story” (an in-the-field example from the author’s perspective), a principle, and a business example showcasing the principle.

Four principles that stand out to me are:

1. You can’t be the best team (or teammate) if you are worried about your own survival. (Chapter 3)
2. As a leader, communication with your team needs to be simple, concise, and contain ‘the why’ (Chapters 6, 10)
3. Seeking learnings and holding oneself accountable (avoiding blame) for mistakes or communication gaps within your teams (direct or indirect). If you can, build that accountability within your team. (Chapters 1, 2, 11)
4. “Situational Awareness” is knowing your context, positioning, and goals. You have a true team (moving in the same direction) when everyone on your team knows the context and the commander’s intent and has some basic operating procedures. (Chapters 5, 8)

To Buy – click here.