A few years ago, I came across a book by the title of Extreme Ownership. It had been written by two former Navy Seals, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, and it sparked my interest. The authors discuss lessons that they learned on the battle field and how they can be implemented in the business world.
Extreme Ownership is based on the idea that one takes full responsibility, not only for oneself but for all other who are part of your team. Knowing ones goals and what the mission is, is essential. Life and business can be challenging and being able to tackle our problems without going into crisis mode every time is important. One should never forget that people are the most important asset. It is important to make sure that everyone knows how they fit into the big puzzle and what their roles are. Using clear and consistent communication is vital. Creating relationships that are built on trust is a must.
Using decentralized command will help get the job done. We cannot do everything on our own. Having a team that knows what to do and that leadership will support them is very important. Micromanaging will only give the team the impression that they are not good enough and that they are not trustworthy. It is necessary to check ones ego at the door and have a working environment that is welcoming to all.
Since the release of Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin created Echelon Front. Echelon Front is a business consulting company, specializing in customized training for high performing teams, offering a variety of different seminars. Last summer I had the opportunity to attend one of Echelon Front’s two-day training sessions. This “Muster” as it was called, was filled with leaders from many different industries. Being surrounded by so many other professionals who wanted to learn how to be better leaders and people in general was eye-opening.
One of the items I specifically wanted to work on was how to communicate better with the leadership at my company. Part of Extreme Ownership is being the change you want to see. Implementing change up the chain can feel daunting but taking the initiative can be extremely beneficial. It gave me the courage to bring up issues and communicate with leadership more freely. The training also helped me see the weaknesses that we face at my current employment. The seminar gave me a positive outlook and that many of our issues can be easily overcome.
Many of the Extreme Ownership principals are easy to understand, but the daily implementation is what can make it a challenge. I try to practice the principals as good as I can. There are days that I slip but then I remind myself that I am human and that tomorrow will be another day.
I highly recommend the book Extreme Ownership and the follow up best seller The Dichotomy of Leadership to anyone wanting to improve themselves. It is not just a book for military leaders, it’s a book all different types of leaders.
For more information on Echelon Front please check out: https://echelonfront.com/
