I had the opportunity to read this book with Tyler right before COVID hit.
Throughout the book, Willink and Babin recount many of their personal experiences as Navy SEALs. Each story relays different key principles that are crucial to implementing successful leadership, not only in the service, but in all areas of life (work and personal). It is fascinating to read about what they experienced and how it relates so substantially to our own civilian lives.
This book really helped me to tighten my mindset for my prior leadership positions managing an internship program and various client marketing projects, as well as in my more personal leadership roles. My only qualm with the book is that we found it hard to read large sections in one sitting. I would definitely recommend checking out the audio book if you feel like you might have the same issue. Besides that, it was fantastic!
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
“Discipline equals freedom.”
“It’s not about what you preach, it’s about what you tolerate.”
“Implementing Extreme Ownership requires checking your ego and operating with a high degree of humility. Admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and developing a plan to overcome challenges are integral to any successful team.”
“The most fundamental and important truth at the heart of Extreme Ownership: there are no bad teams, only bad leaders.”
"Leaders must own everything in their world. There is no one else to blame.”
“When setting expectations, no matter what has been said or written, if substandard performance is accepted and no one is held accountable—if there are no consequences—that poor performance becomes the new standard.”
“Relax. Look around. Make a call.”
“Prioritize your problems and take care of them one at a time, the highest priority first. Don’t try to do everything at once or you won’t be successful. A leader who tries to take on too many problems simultaneously will likely fail at them all.”
“We learned that leadership requires belief in the mission and unyielding perseverance to achieve victory, particularly when doubters question whether victory is even possible."
“The true test for a good brief is not whether the senior officers are impressed. It’s whether or not the team that is going to execute the operation actually understands it. Everything else is bullshit."
“A good leader has nothing to prove, but everything to prove.”
“Leadership requires finding the equilibrium in the dichotomy of many seemingly contradictory qualities, between one extreme and another. Generally, when a leader struggles, the root cause behind the problem is that the leader has leaned too far in one direction and steered off course."
"When you have the discipline to get up early, you are rewarded with more free time.”
Leaders must always operate with the understanding that they are part of something greater than themselves and their own personal interests.
I hope this book gives you some ideas to implement into your own leadership roles. Enjoy!
Sending love always,
J.S.