The book Extreme Ownership, ISBN 978-1250270962, by Jocko Willink
and Leif Babin is available as paperback, ebook or as audiobook. I
recommend listening to the audiobook, since the book is read by the
authors.
I read, or better listened to the book Extreme Ownership years ago.
That was during the time I worked as a lead architect for a customer. I
applied the principles to my work and got good results. Although it is
hard on oneself not to be able to blame others, if failures occur, it
leads to better results of one’s own work. During the Corona lockdown in
Q1/Q2 2020, I listened to the book again.
Extreme Ownership is first and foremost a change in perspective and
attitude. It changes the mindset to a more constructive one where one
can realize that he has influence and some degree of control over almost
every factor. If you have a bad boss, then lead up the chain of command.
If the communication does not work, go ahead and change it. If the other
team does not do what you want, then influence that team until you can
both work together to acomplish the goal.
The concepts in the book are easy to understand. However, that does
not make them easy to apply. Extreme Ownership is extreme. Hence, it
even has extreme in its name. It requires extreme discipline and focus.
It is intense. It shows you the mirror. But in the end, taking ownership
always works.
Book Summary
Extreme Ownership
A leader takes 100% responsibility for everything in his world.
A leader owns his world.
A leader does not find excuses or blames others.
If people are not doing what they should, the leader should adjust
his behavior to change theirs.
You need to put aside your own ego to do what is necessary to
win.
When you demand EO yourself, your team will follow.
Relax, look around, make a
call
Prioritize and execute.
Take a look at tasks, prioritize them, and make a call.
Identify top priorities, take one at a time.
Detach yourself mentally.
No bad teams, only bad
leaders
All people want to win.
Under the right leadership, any team can thrive.
Belief
A leader must fully understand the mission.
Before others can be convinced a leader must fully understand and
believe in the mission.
Decentralized command
Break teams down into groups of 4-5.
Clearly assign leaders.
Ensure leaders at all levels understand the mission.
Lead by commander’s intent.
Manage your ego
Ego comes in different forms.
If you don’t want to look stupid, that’s an form.
Prioritize the mission over your ego.
Cover and move
Teamwork
Having different teams work together.
Simple
Keep things simple.
Simple plans can be adjusted easy.
Everybody understands simple plans.
Prioritize and Execute
Stay calm.
Identify top priorities.
Tackle one at a time.
Sound planning
Put a good planning process into place.
Mission clarity, evaluation of options, risk, engagements.
Post-action debrief.
Lead up and down the line
Lead upward by offering information and updates to help your leader
understand your work and support.
Lead downward to help junior leaders and frontline staff see the
bigger picture.
Be decisive
Make the best decision based on available information.
Discipline brings freedom
Discipline is not stiffness.
It is essential for results.
Further information
Jocko has a podcast, it is available on all major podcast platforms
or on jockopodcast.com.