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Navigating the Seven Seas: Leadership Lessons of the First African American Father and Son to Serve at the Top in the U.S. Navy
Navigating the Seven Seas is an account of the leadership experiences two high-achieving African-Americans in the U.S. Navy. This father and son duo both achieved leadership ranks in the service of their country by following certain precepts than can applied for success in any profession, both military and civilian.
Melvin G. Williams, Sr. served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years (1951-1978) and reached the highest enlisted leadership rank of Master Chief, with final Navy leadership assignment as a Command Master Chief. His son, Melvin G. Williams, Jr., served 32 years (1978-2010) and reached the rank of Vice Admiral with final Navy leadership assignment as a Fleet Commander). As two African Americans who served the nation for nearly 60 consecutive years across two generations, they hope to provide readers with their perspectives on leadership.
Their book describes how they navigated up through the ranks of the U.S. Navy to positions of greater responsibility by employing their "Seven Cs" of Character, Competence, Courage, Commitment, Caring, Communicating, and Community.
Their book addresses the questions regarding who a leader is, what a leader does, why and how a leader performs? Although the context of their experiences is with the U.S. Navy, their message is that the seven Leadership Cs are germane to all readers, regardless of occupation or leadership situation (civilian, military, public and private industry, etc.), and regardless of the reader's background, culture, or gender.
The authors contend that leadership is an art and a science and that leadership can be learned, practiced, and refined and that there is no stereotypical type cast mold for leaders. They argue that if they as members of a minority can rise to leadership roles in the U.S. Navy by following these key principles to navigate across the rough seas of life, then anyone can employ these rules to rise to increased leadership responsibility in any profession or career.
Melvin G. Williams, Sr. served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years (1951-1978) and reached the highest enlisted leadership rank of Master Chief, with final Navy leadership assignment as a Command Master Chief. His son, Melvin G. Williams, Jr., served 32 years (1978-2010) and reached the rank of Vice Admiral with final Navy leadership assignment as a Fleet Commander). As two African Americans who served the nation for nearly 60 consecutive years across two generations, they hope to provide readers with their perspectives on leadership.
Their book describes how they navigated up through the ranks of the U.S. Navy to positions of greater responsibility by employing their "Seven Cs" of Character, Competence, Courage, Commitment, Caring, Communicating, and Community.
Their book addresses the questions regarding who a leader is, what a leader does, why and how a leader performs? Although the context of their experiences is with the U.S. Navy, their message is that the seven Leadership Cs are germane to all readers, regardless of occupation or leadership situation (civilian, military, public and private industry, etc.), and regardless of the reader's background, culture, or gender.
The authors contend that leadership is an art and a science and that leadership can be learned, practiced, and refined and that there is no stereotypical type cast mold for leaders. They argue that if they as members of a minority can rise to leadership roles in the U.S. Navy by following these key principles to navigate across the rough seas of life, then anyone can employ these rules to rise to increased leadership responsibility in any profession or career.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2011
14 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 28, 2017
Simplistic, yet thought-provoking, this book provides timeless lessons on navigating the intertwined challenges of the wardroom and mess to work together while maintaining their distinct roles toward improving mission readiness and sailorization. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially as an African American Naval Officer. This is a must read for every naval officer!
May 6, 2020
These two men have an incredible story to tell. Unfortunately, I think it was lost by formatting the book in terms of leadership characteristics. Instead, I believe the story would have been far more profound (and still demonstrated all of the leadership characteristics) had it chronologically presented the story and careers of this father and son duo.
April 29, 2021
A two star represents the Master Chief, and a three star represents the Vice Admiral.
This quick read by and about a father and son who provided a lifetime of leadership to the United States Navy. Their combined salty-dog experience is close to sixty-years. For that reason alone any leader in any workplace could benefit from reading or listening to “Navigating the Seven Seas.”
Just the sheer history of each of these naval leaders rising through the ranks to levels of “Star Performers,” across two generations between 1951 and 2010 is remarkable. Their own trials and tribulations dealing with the institutionalized culture paved the way to positive changes that will forever influence present and future Sailors throughout their naval service.
The experiences, opinions, and recommendations of a couple of Sailors provide a great resource for leaders in any business where things are managed, and people are supervised. The title might be a nautical play on word, and the “Seas” characterize leadership traits symbolized by the letter C. You will have to read this outstanding manuscript to find out what the behaviors are.
My favorite is the 7th Leadership C, which is packed with some key aspects that do justice for everyone in the workplace environment.
I might be a little biased about the importance of reading this book because I am also a Sailor for life just like the authors. These two highly energetic leaders are the reason the word shipmate is a term of endearment. As we read this timely reference their family leadership tree continues to expand with the next generation of the Williams family serving on active duty as a senior United States Marine Corps officer. That addition to naval service adds a blood stripe to the legacy.
Truly amazing book that will surely inspire! Get it and share it TODAY.
This quick read by and about a father and son who provided a lifetime of leadership to the United States Navy. Their combined salty-dog experience is close to sixty-years. For that reason alone any leader in any workplace could benefit from reading or listening to “Navigating the Seven Seas.”
Just the sheer history of each of these naval leaders rising through the ranks to levels of “Star Performers,” across two generations between 1951 and 2010 is remarkable. Their own trials and tribulations dealing with the institutionalized culture paved the way to positive changes that will forever influence present and future Sailors throughout their naval service.
The experiences, opinions, and recommendations of a couple of Sailors provide a great resource for leaders in any business where things are managed, and people are supervised. The title might be a nautical play on word, and the “Seas” characterize leadership traits symbolized by the letter C. You will have to read this outstanding manuscript to find out what the behaviors are.
My favorite is the 7th Leadership C, which is packed with some key aspects that do justice for everyone in the workplace environment.
I might be a little biased about the importance of reading this book because I am also a Sailor for life just like the authors. These two highly energetic leaders are the reason the word shipmate is a term of endearment. As we read this timely reference their family leadership tree continues to expand with the next generation of the Williams family serving on active duty as a senior United States Marine Corps officer. That addition to naval service adds a blood stripe to the legacy.
Truly amazing book that will surely inspire! Get it and share it TODAY.
April 5, 2020
It’s not a superb, well written book. With that said, I still found this book helpful in becoming a great leader. Both of these men were very successful with the different paths they took and during different times of our history as a nation. It made me think about how to take their experiences and apply it to my own professional career working for the Navy. I enjoyed the book;it’s a quick read, and some great quotes are also a highlight of this book.
January 14, 2022
Prose was in the same vein as their advice: be clear, be brief. A valuable perspective from great servant leaders.
March 3, 2017
Melvin G. Williams, Sr. and Melvin G. Williams, Jr. both served in the U.S. Navy. From 1951 to 2010, the Navy has changed significantly, which is why the Sr. was forced into the Steward rate (he still rose to Master Chief) and Jr. was able to finish his career as a three star Admiral. Filled with pictures and personal experiences, this book talks about the seven "C"s of leadership: Character, Competence, Courage, Commitment, Caring, Communicating, and Community.
Why I started this book: I checked this book out far too long ago, and it was time for me to read it and return it.
Why I finished it: I merely meant to start reading it tonight, but with all the pictures, the book flew by. As a leadership book it was unimpressive, as a glimpse into the careers of these two African American men it was much more interesting.
Why I started this book: I checked this book out far too long ago, and it was time for me to read it and return it.
Why I finished it: I merely meant to start reading it tonight, but with all the pictures, the book flew by. As a leadership book it was unimpressive, as a glimpse into the careers of these two African American men it was much more interesting.
February 25, 2018
I was expecting a book of sea stories covering over sixty years of Navy history. What I found, read more like a cross between leadership platitudes and a really long EVAL.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews