There are a lot of books out there that aim to help you accomplish your goals. Some are touchy-feely (think “I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!“) and others, well, not so much. Some force the reader to stare at themselves in the mirror and instead of reciting an affirmation, look honestly and critically at themselves. You might even say they are a bit harsh. Those usually appeal to me because they rely on action and thought processes, not just “feewings”. I’ve read a few of the latter type, and one of the best is Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (New Edition)
In case you are unaware, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin are both former Navy SEAL officers and decorated combat veterans. As such, they know a thing or two about leadership and achieving goals. The book sets forth principles by recounting events that occurred while leading combat troops, then takes the lessons from those stories and applies them to situations in “normal” life. While the lessons are usually applied to the business world, they are applicable to success in many areas of life. The battlefield stories are intense and powerful and would probably stand alone as an account of SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser in Iraq. The stories of applying the principles in companies that Jocko and Leif consult for get a little tense at times, too. In them, there aren’t the life and death factors at play, but at the end of the day, it’s still about people, stripping away egos, pulling off the rose-colored glasses and looking at things with brutal honesty.
There are a multitude of lessons, but the first is all about the title: “The leader must own everything in his or her world.” The plan didn’t work? The only answer to why is “Because I as a leader failed.” It isn’t because Johnny or Sarah didn’t pull their weight or some unforeseen event unfolded. When someone takes Extreme Ownership, they take full responsibility for success or failure. Blame is not placed anywhere other than on the leader’s shoulders. If Johnny didn’t do “X” or “Y”, then I as a leader did not properly inform him of what needed to happen, or I did not give Johnny the tools to accomplish what needed to be done. Period. It’s a powerful philosophy for success.
There are many other lessons to be learned by reading this book. If you’re trying to better yourself and develop your toolset for success, you can’t go wrong with this book. This book is available through audible as well, so if you are a runner, cyclist, workout enthusiast, or commuter, you are in for a bonus: Jocko and Leif actually narrate the book. You will never hear more steely and gravelly voices than you do while listening to these two recounting the stories and explaining principles in Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (New Edition)
Angry Viking Actual, Out.
