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Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character
From one of the most distinguished admirals of our time and a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, a meditation on leadership and character refracted through the lives of ten of the most illustrious naval commanders in history
In his acclaimed book Sea Power, James Stavridis reckoned with the history and geopolitics of the world's great bodies of water. Now in Sailing True North, he offers a much more intimate, human the lessons of leadership and character contained in the lives and careers of history's most significant naval commanders. Admiral Stavridis brings a lifetime of reflection to bear on the subjects of his study--on naval history, on the vocation of the admiral with its special tests and challenges, and on the sweep of global geopolitics. Above all, this is a book that will help you navigate your own life's the voyage of leadership of course, but more important, the voyage of character. Sadly, evil men can be effective leaders sailing toward bad ends; in the end, leadership without character is like a ship underway without a rudder. Sailing True North helps us find the right course to chart.
Simply as epic lives, the tales of these ten admirals offer up a collection of the greatest imaginable sea stories. Moreover, spanning 2,500 years from ancient Greece to the twenty-first century, Sailing True North is a book that offers a history of the world through the prism of our greatest naval leaders. None of the admirals in this volume were perfect, and some were deeply flawed. But from Themistocles, Drake, and Nelson to Nimitz, Rickover, and Hopper, important themes emerge, not least that there is an art to knowing when to listen to your shipmates and when to turn a blind eye; that serving your reputation is a poor substitute for serving your character; and that taking time to read and reflect is not a luxury, it's a necessity.
By putting us on personal terms with historic leaders in the maritime sphere he knows so well, James Stavridis has in Sailing True North offered a compass that can help us navigate the story of our own lives, wherever that voyage takes us.
In his acclaimed book Sea Power, James Stavridis reckoned with the history and geopolitics of the world's great bodies of water. Now in Sailing True North, he offers a much more intimate, human the lessons of leadership and character contained in the lives and careers of history's most significant naval commanders. Admiral Stavridis brings a lifetime of reflection to bear on the subjects of his study--on naval history, on the vocation of the admiral with its special tests and challenges, and on the sweep of global geopolitics. Above all, this is a book that will help you navigate your own life's the voyage of leadership of course, but more important, the voyage of character. Sadly, evil men can be effective leaders sailing toward bad ends; in the end, leadership without character is like a ship underway without a rudder. Sailing True North helps us find the right course to chart.
Simply as epic lives, the tales of these ten admirals offer up a collection of the greatest imaginable sea stories. Moreover, spanning 2,500 years from ancient Greece to the twenty-first century, Sailing True North is a book that offers a history of the world through the prism of our greatest naval leaders. None of the admirals in this volume were perfect, and some were deeply flawed. But from Themistocles, Drake, and Nelson to Nimitz, Rickover, and Hopper, important themes emerge, not least that there is an art to knowing when to listen to your shipmates and when to turn a blind eye; that serving your reputation is a poor substitute for serving your character; and that taking time to read and reflect is not a luxury, it's a necessity.
By putting us on personal terms with historic leaders in the maritime sphere he knows so well, James Stavridis has in Sailing True North offered a compass that can help us navigate the story of our own lives, wherever that voyage takes us.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2019
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2051 people want to read
About the author
James G. Stavridis
27 books380 followersA Florida native, Jim Stavridis attended the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, and spent 37 years in the Navy, rising to the rank of 4-star Admiral. Among his many commands were four years as the 16th Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, where he oversaw operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans, and counter piracy off the coast of Africa. He also commanded US Southern Command in Miami, charged with military operations through Latin America for nearly three years. He was the longest serving Combatant Commander in recent US history. Following his military career, he served for five years as the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
In the course of his career in the Navy, he served as senior military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense. He led the Navy’s premier operational think tank for innovation, Deep Blue, immediately after the 9/11 attacks. Admiral Stavridis was promoted directly from 1-star rank to 3-star rank in 2004.
He won the Battenberg Cup for commanding the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet and the Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational leadership, along with more than 50 US and international medals and decorations, including 28 from foreign nations. He also commanded a Destroyer Squadron and a Carrier Strike Group, both in combat.
In 2016, he was vetted for Vice President by Secretary Hillary Clinton, and subsequently invited to Trump Tower to discuss a cabinet position with President Donald Trump.
He earned a PhD from The Fletcher School at Tufts, winning the Gullion prize as outstanding student in his class in 1983, as well as academic honors from the National and Naval War Colleges as a distinguished student. He speaks Spanish and French.
Admiral Stavridis has published ten books on leadership, the oceans, maritime affairs, and Latin America, as well as hundreds of articles in leading journals. An active user of social networks, he has tens of thousands of connections on the social networks. His TED talk on 21st century security in 2012 has close to one million views. He tweeted the end of combat operations in the Libyan NATO intervention. His two most recent books are “Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character” in 2019 and the novel “2034: A Novel of the Next World War” in 2021.
Admiral Stavridis is a monthly columnist for TIME Magazine and Chief International Security and Diplomacy Analyst for NBC News.
He is happily married to Laura, and they have two daughters – one working at Google and the other a Registered Nurse and former naval officer, both married to physicians.
Recent commentary: https://admiralstav.com/news/
In the course of his career in the Navy, he served as senior military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense. He led the Navy’s premier operational think tank for innovation, Deep Blue, immediately after the 9/11 attacks. Admiral Stavridis was promoted directly from 1-star rank to 3-star rank in 2004.
He won the Battenberg Cup for commanding the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet and the Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational leadership, along with more than 50 US and international medals and decorations, including 28 from foreign nations. He also commanded a Destroyer Squadron and a Carrier Strike Group, both in combat.
In 2016, he was vetted for Vice President by Secretary Hillary Clinton, and subsequently invited to Trump Tower to discuss a cabinet position with President Donald Trump.
He earned a PhD from The Fletcher School at Tufts, winning the Gullion prize as outstanding student in his class in 1983, as well as academic honors from the National and Naval War Colleges as a distinguished student. He speaks Spanish and French.
Admiral Stavridis has published ten books on leadership, the oceans, maritime affairs, and Latin America, as well as hundreds of articles in leading journals. An active user of social networks, he has tens of thousands of connections on the social networks. His TED talk on 21st century security in 2012 has close to one million views. He tweeted the end of combat operations in the Libyan NATO intervention. His two most recent books are “Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character” in 2019 and the novel “2034: A Novel of the Next World War” in 2021.
Admiral Stavridis is a monthly columnist for TIME Magazine and Chief International Security and Diplomacy Analyst for NBC News.
He is happily married to Laura, and they have two daughters – one working at Google and the other a Registered Nurse and former naval officer, both married to physicians.
Recent commentary: https://admiralstav.com/news/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
December 15, 2019
This book is a combination of biography, memoir and naval history. Admiral Stavridis starts with the first great sea commander, Themistocles, who led the ancient Greeks to victory over the Persians. Also discussed were 15th century Chinese Admiral Zheng, Sir Francis Drake, Horatio Nelson, John A. Fisher, Alfred T. Mahan, Chester Nimitz, Hyman Rickover, and Elmo Zumwalt. The author ends with a famous woman, Admiral Grace Hopper.
The book is well written and researched. Primarily the book is about leadership and integrity. The author emphasizes the difference between character, reputation and leadership. In between discussing these famous people, Stavridis provides information about his own life in the Navy. The book is informative and uplifting and, considering today’s world, a much need discussion about integrity.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and fifty-five minutes. Marc Cashman does an excellent job narrating the book. Cashman is an actor and was Audiofile Magazine’s “Best Voice of the Year Award”.
The book is well written and researched. Primarily the book is about leadership and integrity. The author emphasizes the difference between character, reputation and leadership. In between discussing these famous people, Stavridis provides information about his own life in the Navy. The book is informative and uplifting and, considering today’s world, a much need discussion about integrity.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and fifty-five minutes. Marc Cashman does an excellent job narrating the book. Cashman is an actor and was Audiofile Magazine’s “Best Voice of the Year Award”.
February 1, 2020
I have always been a sucker for a good sea story. Even before I joined the navy I was always reading books about great sea battles, maritime disasters and memoirs of those whose lives were spent on, or under, the sea. I discovered Admiral Stavridis when his last book, Sea Power, became popular. Having enjoyed that book I was quick to jump on this newest of his literary works.
As its title suggests Sailing True North is a collection of mini-biographies of ten admirals throughout history. One would think that they were chosen for their sangfroid and brilliance in battle, and in some cases it was. Nelson, Drake and the Greek admiral Themistocles had those qualities in spades. Others, though, had other qualities that aren’t often found in men of action. Some never even spent much, if any, time at sea. They included innovators, admirals whose vision and determination changed not only the navies they served but the world itself. Zheng He, a eunuch slave, made himself so indispensable to the Chinese court that the emperor gave him command of the navy and the resources to build a the largest deep-water fleet the world had ever seen. Historian Alfred Thayer Mahan, a reluctant sailor, literally wrote the book that reshaped geopolitics for generations to come. Chester Nimitz spent almost the entirety of World War II ashore in Hawaii yet took command of a fleet still smoldering from the attack on Pearl Harbor, rebuilt it and brilliantly directed the greatest sea battles in history. Others, Lord John Arbuthnot Thayer, Hyman Rickover and Grace Hopper, each propelled the world’s navies into a new age, from wooden ships to steel, to nuclear power and into the digital age.
What makes this book unique is that Stavridis examine the life and career of each of these admirals and extracts what he believes is the essential character trait that shaped their actions. Themistocles’ charisma enabled him to instill in his ships’ crews the will and determination to take on and defeat a vastly superior Persian fleet. Nimitz’s ‘self-confidence and an inner and sense of balance’ gave him the ability to direct the actions of the admirals and generals waging war in the Pacific. He said of Nimitz, "Especially in today's media environment, personality is an essential foundation piece of any leaders message. And while it is tempting to let emotion drive personality, the true acme of character is sublimating anger, pettiness, and impulse in favor of a cool, calm temperament. This was the genius of Nimitz."
In most cases Stavridis character studies shed light on the subjects but in others it seemed to me that the author was struggling to find superlatives to fit the formula of his book. As a lover of sea stories, I occasionally wished for more stories and less psychoanalysis. Stavridis makes a good argument, though, that character is something that the world lacks today.
*Quotations are cited from an advanced reading copy and may not be the same as appears in the final published edition. The review was based on an advanced reading copy obtained at no cost from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star – The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
As its title suggests Sailing True North is a collection of mini-biographies of ten admirals throughout history. One would think that they were chosen for their sangfroid and brilliance in battle, and in some cases it was. Nelson, Drake and the Greek admiral Themistocles had those qualities in spades. Others, though, had other qualities that aren’t often found in men of action. Some never even spent much, if any, time at sea. They included innovators, admirals whose vision and determination changed not only the navies they served but the world itself. Zheng He, a eunuch slave, made himself so indispensable to the Chinese court that the emperor gave him command of the navy and the resources to build a the largest deep-water fleet the world had ever seen. Historian Alfred Thayer Mahan, a reluctant sailor, literally wrote the book that reshaped geopolitics for generations to come. Chester Nimitz spent almost the entirety of World War II ashore in Hawaii yet took command of a fleet still smoldering from the attack on Pearl Harbor, rebuilt it and brilliantly directed the greatest sea battles in history. Others, Lord John Arbuthnot Thayer, Hyman Rickover and Grace Hopper, each propelled the world’s navies into a new age, from wooden ships to steel, to nuclear power and into the digital age.
What makes this book unique is that Stavridis examine the life and career of each of these admirals and extracts what he believes is the essential character trait that shaped their actions. Themistocles’ charisma enabled him to instill in his ships’ crews the will and determination to take on and defeat a vastly superior Persian fleet. Nimitz’s ‘self-confidence and an inner and sense of balance’ gave him the ability to direct the actions of the admirals and generals waging war in the Pacific. He said of Nimitz, "Especially in today's media environment, personality is an essential foundation piece of any leaders message. And while it is tempting to let emotion drive personality, the true acme of character is sublimating anger, pettiness, and impulse in favor of a cool, calm temperament. This was the genius of Nimitz."
In most cases Stavridis character studies shed light on the subjects but in others it seemed to me that the author was struggling to find superlatives to fit the formula of his book. As a lover of sea stories, I occasionally wished for more stories and less psychoanalysis. Stavridis makes a good argument, though, that character is something that the world lacks today.
Most of us want to be part of a society that is dependable, predictable, and stable – but this turbulent twenty-first century resembles that less and less. The stories we hear seem chaotic, disconnected and thematically barren: school shootings of children by other children; wars without end in the Middle East;…leaders who routinely lie, cheat and steal; followers who act out in spasms of anger, fulfilling Tocqueville’s dire nineteenth-century prediction that the tragedy of democracy will be that in the end we elect the government we deserve.
*Quotations are cited from an advanced reading copy and may not be the same as appears in the final published edition. The review was based on an advanced reading copy obtained at no cost from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star – The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
January 3, 2020
Jim Stavridis is a bad boy: admiral, commander of US Southern Command, Supreme Allied Command of NATO, dean of the Tufts school of law and diplomacy. This means he has lived a life of action and leadership, not that he will necessarily write a mean book. For the leadership literature, Stavridis embarks and finds open water. It’s a cross between biography, the voyage of discovery that transformed each of these admirals, and a meditation on leadership.
As source material, he uses the biographies of ten admirals from Themistocles and Zheng He and how they deployed strategy, tactics and resilience in Ancient Greece and China to Hyman Rickover and Grace Hopper and how they helped give us the modern US Navy.
As a biographer, Stavridis does not rock the boat or discover any new territory. However, that is not his point. Rather, he uses the biography of his ten admirals to chart the different courses of their lives and the different waters through which they navigated to become ten different types of leaders. Throughout, Stavridis uses roughly the same formula for each of the first ten chapters: introduction, about twenty pages of biography, five pages of the parallels in his own life, followed by five pages with concluding remarks on that admiral's character and path to leadership. Following the format, Stavridis leaves himself the final chapter to contemplate leadership more broadly in the 21st Century in general and in the present moment within the current political configurations in particular.
Implicit throughout and, at times stated explicitly, Stavridis offers a reprimand and various counters to our ahistorical age, which often exhibits true lack of character - a trait which continues to be repeatedly sacrificed at the alter of political expediency. Stavridis has set sail in search of character. The voyage offers counterweights and lessons to serve as so many guidestars in the stormy seas of life and leadership within our turbulent times. These don't have to serve as your stars; there are others to guide other journeys. But we will all need our compasses to keep us on course. I wish you safe passage in your journeys.
As source material, he uses the biographies of ten admirals from Themistocles and Zheng He and how they deployed strategy, tactics and resilience in Ancient Greece and China to Hyman Rickover and Grace Hopper and how they helped give us the modern US Navy.
As a biographer, Stavridis does not rock the boat or discover any new territory. However, that is not his point. Rather, he uses the biography of his ten admirals to chart the different courses of their lives and the different waters through which they navigated to become ten different types of leaders. Throughout, Stavridis uses roughly the same formula for each of the first ten chapters: introduction, about twenty pages of biography, five pages of the parallels in his own life, followed by five pages with concluding remarks on that admiral's character and path to leadership. Following the format, Stavridis leaves himself the final chapter to contemplate leadership more broadly in the 21st Century in general and in the present moment within the current political configurations in particular.
Implicit throughout and, at times stated explicitly, Stavridis offers a reprimand and various counters to our ahistorical age, which often exhibits true lack of character - a trait which continues to be repeatedly sacrificed at the alter of political expediency. Stavridis has set sail in search of character. The voyage offers counterweights and lessons to serve as so many guidestars in the stormy seas of life and leadership within our turbulent times. These don't have to serve as your stars; there are others to guide other journeys. But we will all need our compasses to keep us on course. I wish you safe passage in your journeys.
February 23, 2020
A study of character using the accomplishments of ten past Admirals. Biographical snippets. Fortunately, I had read the biography of several of the Admirals. Notably, Lord Nelson, Nimitz and Rickover.
A side note. The author stated that Lord Nelson is "buried" at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England. In fact, Lord Nelson's coffin is suspended by chains in the depths of the Cathedral along with other notables. Quite an interesting place to visit, if you ever get the chance.
A side note. The author stated that Lord Nelson is "buried" at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England. In fact, Lord Nelson's coffin is suspended by chains in the depths of the Cathedral along with other notables. Quite an interesting place to visit, if you ever get the chance.
November 26, 2019
Wonderful book! I'm not much of a history buff, but I saw Admiral Stavridis interviewed on television. He was there to discuss implications of current news events (and to promote this book). Admiral Stavridis was giving the host (and us) the backstory in a compelling, interesting way. I bought this book on audio and listened to it during my daily walks. Normally, I take a three-mile hike every day, but I started walking five miles when I was listening to this book--the audio version of not being able to put a book down. Now, I'm halfway through Sea Power. For me, Admiral Stavridis did for history what Carl Sagan did for science. If you read your reviews, thank you, Sir.
April 9, 2025
A series of short histories of naval officers with a focus on personal character, successes, failures, challenges and virtues and flaws.
The bibliography is solid.
I enjoyed and learned and reflected on my own journey.
The bibliography is solid.
I enjoyed and learned and reflected on my own journey.
October 28, 2019
This page-turner speaks to leadership through character - something I highly recommend for all kinds of leaders and for anyone aspiring to demonstrate quality leadership. I found it to be extremely informative and inspirational. I've read everything Admiral Stavridis [Ret] has written and look forward to more!
April 3, 2021
For some there be, shelved and forgotten,
With nothing to thank for their fate,
Save that (on a half-sheet of foolscap,)
Which a fool “Had the Honour to state - -.”
The Laws of the Navy, Classic Plebe Rate
Sailing True North is not a bad book. It is an easy read and perhaps worth look over. It is an introduction to various kinds of leadership and a short list of important character traits. Beyond that, I cannot enthuse.
I wish I could be more positive about Admiral Stavridis’ Sailing True North. I was one year ahead of him at the US Naval Academy and from his graduation day forward, every aspect of his career eclipsed mine. His service record is all anyone should need to establish that command, and the character of command is something he understand and successfully practiced. If only he were a better writer.
A lesson taught at the Academy, is to make a point of paying attention to leaders that you respect and seeking to understand what it is about their leadership that you respect. Who anyone might pick is entirely their choice and claims of PC Admirals stinks of personal politics over the Admiral’s right to pick who he believes best illustrates his points.
Nor do I question Admirals Stavridis’s main principals. Admiral Rickover, one of the authors chosen exemplars, was fond of making loud disparaging remarks about the Naval Academy because leadership cannot be taught. Admiral Rickover was fond of making loud disparaging remarks. I tend to agree, but his was over simplification. Leadership, where it already exists in a person can be developed, honed and nurtured. Further if it is educated by examples as well as by theory the personal leadership qualities can be enhanced, reinforced and directed into any of several necessary qualities. Many of them contradictory.
Having established Admiral Stavrdis’ credentials to speak on the subject, agreeing with his hypothesis that character is key , and his choices are his to make, I return to the problem how the Admiral as a historian and as a story teller.
His earliest choices, Themistocles and Zeng He depend on scanty records and those hard confirm. The victory as Salamis was the culmination of several events, but it is possible that Themodtocles is given more than his share of the credit. To the degree that Chinese shipbuilder and explorer did the things listed to his credit, he had to have been an administrator of great ability. Or he may have been very good at selecting the various court officials and slave who were more likely the backbone of his construction and office staff. Nothing is said about the quality and training of his sailers and officers.
These are not critical problems. Examples either serve or they do not. For me the final let down was the writing. Adm. Stavrdis seemed to have a single template for each section. He is neither that inspirational nor that analytical. Each figure gets a brief mostly gee wiz biography , some low level psychology and some kind of example for the author’s life. Taken together I never felt challenged, inspired or enlightened.
With nothing to thank for their fate,
Save that (on a half-sheet of foolscap,)
Which a fool “Had the Honour to state - -.”
The Laws of the Navy, Classic Plebe Rate
Sailing True North is not a bad book. It is an easy read and perhaps worth look over. It is an introduction to various kinds of leadership and a short list of important character traits. Beyond that, I cannot enthuse.
I wish I could be more positive about Admiral Stavridis’ Sailing True North. I was one year ahead of him at the US Naval Academy and from his graduation day forward, every aspect of his career eclipsed mine. His service record is all anyone should need to establish that command, and the character of command is something he understand and successfully practiced. If only he were a better writer.
A lesson taught at the Academy, is to make a point of paying attention to leaders that you respect and seeking to understand what it is about their leadership that you respect. Who anyone might pick is entirely their choice and claims of PC Admirals stinks of personal politics over the Admiral’s right to pick who he believes best illustrates his points.
Nor do I question Admirals Stavridis’s main principals. Admiral Rickover, one of the authors chosen exemplars, was fond of making loud disparaging remarks about the Naval Academy because leadership cannot be taught. Admiral Rickover was fond of making loud disparaging remarks. I tend to agree, but his was over simplification. Leadership, where it already exists in a person can be developed, honed and nurtured. Further if it is educated by examples as well as by theory the personal leadership qualities can be enhanced, reinforced and directed into any of several necessary qualities. Many of them contradictory.
Having established Admiral Stavrdis’ credentials to speak on the subject, agreeing with his hypothesis that character is key , and his choices are his to make, I return to the problem how the Admiral as a historian and as a story teller.
His earliest choices, Themistocles and Zeng He depend on scanty records and those hard confirm. The victory as Salamis was the culmination of several events, but it is possible that Themodtocles is given more than his share of the credit. To the degree that Chinese shipbuilder and explorer did the things listed to his credit, he had to have been an administrator of great ability. Or he may have been very good at selecting the various court officials and slave who were more likely the backbone of his construction and office staff. Nothing is said about the quality and training of his sailers and officers.
These are not critical problems. Examples either serve or they do not. For me the final let down was the writing. Adm. Stavrdis seemed to have a single template for each section. He is neither that inspirational nor that analytical. Each figure gets a brief mostly gee wiz biography , some low level psychology and some kind of example for the author’s life. Taken together I never felt challenged, inspired or enlightened.
December 14, 2019
This was not what I expected. Much of the narrative is devoted to Stavridis' recollections of where he went, what he thought and other experiences he had evoked by the specific admiral to whom the chapter is dedicated... more of a lesson learned memoir than a history. The historical content is sketchy, the biographies are sparse, and much of the book reads like a corporate leadership seminar or self-help course. Just not what I hoped for, not my cup of tea.
September 21, 2021
10 Admirals (actually 12) discussed by 4-star Admiral James G. Stavridis with admiration and some discernment. I knew most of them, in fact several are my favorites, but this book is more about the qualities of leadership than the actual individuals mentioned. The word 'resilience' seems to be one most necessary qualities according to Stavridis since he repeats it often. Most of the other qualities are somewhat self-evident, but that doesn't make them less important.
Some of the admirals are blue-water sailors while others are more involved with nuclear power (Rickover) or computers (Admiral Hopper, one of two women discussed). Their lives and reputations served their countries and their respective navies. I would have liked more about the individuals than what was offered, but I suspect Stavridis used their unique lives to deliver a message about qualities we can all hope to achieve but rarely do.
Some of the admirals are blue-water sailors while others are more involved with nuclear power (Rickover) or computers (Admiral Hopper, one of two women discussed). Their lives and reputations served their countries and their respective navies. I would have liked more about the individuals than what was offered, but I suspect Stavridis used their unique lives to deliver a message about qualities we can all hope to achieve but rarely do.
October 17, 2019
Retired Admiral James Stavridis has written an excellent new book, and it’s all about integrity. “Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character,” is an uplifting and informative story about Stavridis’s own journey in the U.S. Navy, but is mostly about ten other admirals who inspired him, and helped shape his personal path. I’m also a bit biased. I have known Jim for over 20 years, and he is one of the finest people I’ve ever met. I also think that if Stavridis were president, the Kurds wouldn't have been betrayed--that would be out of character for him.
The admirals, along with some text from the book about them:
Themistocles, 524-459 B.C. -- The Power of Persuasion
A Greek admiral who possessed a predictive skill, and “ . . . forecast the possible outcomes in any given circumstance.
Zheng He, 1371-1433 – A Sailor of the Middle Kingdom
“An organized frame of mind tempered by a calm personality.’
Sir Francis Drake, 1540-1596 – A Pirate and a Patriot
“A good example of how a deeply flawed character can still accomplish a great deal in an energetic life—for both good and ill.”
Vice Admiral Viscount Horatio Nelson, 1758-1805 – The Band of Brothers
“Personified the desire that many people of character have to be part of something larger than themselves.” That trait was echoed often by the late Senator John McCain.
Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, 1840-1914 – The Influencer
“ . . . unwavering in his determination to communicate a new strategic vision of his nation—one that fit the times and turned America’s gaze to the world.”
Admiral Lord John Arbuthnot Fisher, 1841-1920 – Rum, Buggery, and the Lash
“ . . . relentlessly upbeat and positive.” Stavridis added, “If I could pick only one admiral to spend a long evening with, it would be Jacky Fisher.”
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, 1885-1966 – The Admiral’s Admiral
President Gerald Ford, in dedicating the aircraft carrier bearing Nimitz’s name, quoted E.B. Potter, who said, “He was aggressive in war without hate, and audacious while never failing to weigh the risks.”
Admiral Hyman Rickover, 1900-1986 – The Master of Anger
“ . . . no admiral in this book was more visionary than Hyman Rickover.”
Admiral Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt, Jr., 1920-2000 – The Angel of Change
“Bud Zumwalt was great in vision, bold in challenging old customs, ideas, and assumptions; and both willing and able to make the bureaucracy howl.” Zumwalt’s gravestone bears the epitaph, “Reformer.”
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, 1906-1992 – Don’t Go Near the Water
“ . . . a believer that it was loyalty to principle that mattered, not blind loyalty to any given boss.”
Admiral Stavridis also offers ten character traits that echo the success and failures of the ten admirals, and also served him well over during his career on land and at sea.
Creativity
Resilience
Humility
Balance
Honesty
Empathy
Justice
Decisiveness
Determination
Perspective
General James Mattis said, “If character matters, this is a must read for those who would live a full life.”
I agree 100%. “Sailing True North” should be an addition to everyone’s library.
The admirals, along with some text from the book about them:
Themistocles, 524-459 B.C. -- The Power of Persuasion
A Greek admiral who possessed a predictive skill, and “ . . . forecast the possible outcomes in any given circumstance.
Zheng He, 1371-1433 – A Sailor of the Middle Kingdom
“An organized frame of mind tempered by a calm personality.’
Sir Francis Drake, 1540-1596 – A Pirate and a Patriot
“A good example of how a deeply flawed character can still accomplish a great deal in an energetic life—for both good and ill.”
Vice Admiral Viscount Horatio Nelson, 1758-1805 – The Band of Brothers
“Personified the desire that many people of character have to be part of something larger than themselves.” That trait was echoed often by the late Senator John McCain.
Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, 1840-1914 – The Influencer
“ . . . unwavering in his determination to communicate a new strategic vision of his nation—one that fit the times and turned America’s gaze to the world.”
Admiral Lord John Arbuthnot Fisher, 1841-1920 – Rum, Buggery, and the Lash
“ . . . relentlessly upbeat and positive.” Stavridis added, “If I could pick only one admiral to spend a long evening with, it would be Jacky Fisher.”
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, 1885-1966 – The Admiral’s Admiral
President Gerald Ford, in dedicating the aircraft carrier bearing Nimitz’s name, quoted E.B. Potter, who said, “He was aggressive in war without hate, and audacious while never failing to weigh the risks.”
Admiral Hyman Rickover, 1900-1986 – The Master of Anger
“ . . . no admiral in this book was more visionary than Hyman Rickover.”
Admiral Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt, Jr., 1920-2000 – The Angel of Change
“Bud Zumwalt was great in vision, bold in challenging old customs, ideas, and assumptions; and both willing and able to make the bureaucracy howl.” Zumwalt’s gravestone bears the epitaph, “Reformer.”
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, 1906-1992 – Don’t Go Near the Water
“ . . . a believer that it was loyalty to principle that mattered, not blind loyalty to any given boss.”
Admiral Stavridis also offers ten character traits that echo the success and failures of the ten admirals, and also served him well over during his career on land and at sea.
Creativity
Resilience
Humility
Balance
Honesty
Empathy
Justice
Decisiveness
Determination
Perspective
General James Mattis said, “If character matters, this is a must read for those who would live a full life.”
I agree 100%. “Sailing True North” should be an addition to everyone’s library.
January 8, 2022
This book is a combination of seafaring history and philosophy. That is, each chapter devoted about 2/3 of its pages to a brief biography of a famed naval visionary, with the remaining pages devoted to the author’s philosophizing on what he felt were the primary personal attributes that made that person’s naval career so successful and distinguished.
The first ten chapters covered the following historical naval figures:
Themistocles
Zheng He
Sir Francis Drake
Vice Admiral Viscount Horatio Nelson
Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan
Admiral Lord John Arbuthnot Fisher
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Admiral Hyman Rickover
Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
(For some reason, there was an eleventh chapter that covered two more admirals, but those two individuals were simply not as historically impactful as those covered in the previous ten chapters.)
All biographies were interesting, but they were all so short (maybe 20-25 pages) that it felt a bit like I was reading a Cliff’s Notes version of their lives.
The philosophical portions of this book are more problematic. So I decided to very quickly review the philosophical portion of each chapter looking for some of the attributes the author credited these historical figures with having. The attributes I found (I repeat, via a VERY quick review) were vision, decisiveness, organization, resilience, tolerance, courageousness, discipline, devotion, teamwork, intellectualism, professionalism, determination, strategic thinking, personableness, work ethic, vision, charisma, energy, patriotism, mentoring and loyalty. I need not have bothered to do that exercise, though, because the book’s final chapter (titled “Conclusion”) discussed the author’s selected list of attributes (creativity, resilience, humility, balance, honesty, empathy, sense of justice, decisiveness, determination and perspective). Indeed, the only reason I’m talking about the book’s philosophical aspects in this book review is to point out that the subject and its conclusions are certainly subjective and prone to incompleteness.
Bottom line: I was interested in learning more about impactful, historical naval figures. I was much less interested in the author’s musing on what might have made them tick. I felt that combining actual historical record with philosophical musing was an odd combination.
The first ten chapters covered the following historical naval figures:
Themistocles
Zheng He
Sir Francis Drake
Vice Admiral Viscount Horatio Nelson
Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan
Admiral Lord John Arbuthnot Fisher
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Admiral Hyman Rickover
Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
(For some reason, there was an eleventh chapter that covered two more admirals, but those two individuals were simply not as historically impactful as those covered in the previous ten chapters.)
All biographies were interesting, but they were all so short (maybe 20-25 pages) that it felt a bit like I was reading a Cliff’s Notes version of their lives.
The philosophical portions of this book are more problematic. So I decided to very quickly review the philosophical portion of each chapter looking for some of the attributes the author credited these historical figures with having. The attributes I found (I repeat, via a VERY quick review) were vision, decisiveness, organization, resilience, tolerance, courageousness, discipline, devotion, teamwork, intellectualism, professionalism, determination, strategic thinking, personableness, work ethic, vision, charisma, energy, patriotism, mentoring and loyalty. I need not have bothered to do that exercise, though, because the book’s final chapter (titled “Conclusion”) discussed the author’s selected list of attributes (creativity, resilience, humility, balance, honesty, empathy, sense of justice, decisiveness, determination and perspective). Indeed, the only reason I’m talking about the book’s philosophical aspects in this book review is to point out that the subject and its conclusions are certainly subjective and prone to incompleteness.
Bottom line: I was interested in learning more about impactful, historical naval figures. I was much less interested in the author’s musing on what might have made them tick. I felt that combining actual historical record with philosophical musing was an odd combination.
March 27, 2022
Meh. I enjoy leadership books but, (and it's a big but) only consider the advice valuable if the giver is consistent which Admiral Stavridis is not; thus, the value of his advice is diminished. This is not to say "Sailing True North," has nothing to offer, it does, I couldn't agree more with ADM Stavdiris contention that angry leaders are poor leaders, a fact the military at large is finally waking-up to. However, through his character sketches ADM Stravridis shows many modern, leftist tendencies, simplifying complicated historical figures with a woke lens (rather than just saying "mores have changed, I'm not endorsing their treatment of X group, but that's not my focus, and I acknowledge the behavior as a historical fact and move past it) and including two admirals who are obviously politically correct insertions. The other major sin in my view is a sliding scale of what makes for good character. He castigates honorable, but flawed me, and holds up as paragons a female admiral who ditched her marriage to pursue a career in the Navy as a paragon of patriotism (how about honoring the life long vows YOU made instead, how about that as a character to emulate); and whitewashes the wrong doing of three generals/admirals (including himself) and highlights their lucrative post-military careers as as what... somehow absolving them of their wrongdoing while in uniform. No Sir these individuals lack a character anyone should want to emulate, that is the whole point? Not to mention the entire work is a self-flattering humble-brag. This sliding scale of character is just too much and can't be taken seriously.
November 30, 2019
Hard Questions, Thoughtful Answers
This book is an extremely thoughtful of the qualities of great admirals from the past and what are their best and worst traits: how we can emulate these men and women in the attempt to improve ourselves and society at least a little while we live. A carefully worded thoughtful book from a man who has been there and is not afraid to reveal his own frailties in the process.
This book is an extremely thoughtful of the qualities of great admirals from the past and what are their best and worst traits: how we can emulate these men and women in the attempt to improve ourselves and society at least a little while we live. A carefully worded thoughtful book from a man who has been there and is not afraid to reveal his own frailties in the process.
November 5, 2023
Admiral Stavridis uses biographies of ten famous admirals and his own military career to reflect on the virtues of leadership and character. It's an interesting concept for a book, though one that is perhaps a little over-structured, as Stavridis digests the complexity of an entire career down to a single value, like bravery, innovation, or anger.
For all it's naval overtures, this is hardly a militaristic book. The subjects are lauded more for innovation and organizational transformation over tactical skill or boldness in battle. Some interesting common themes pop out: Leaders are overwhelming leaders of human beings. Themistocles rallied his sailors with brave speeches, and Nelson forged a band of brothers. In the modern era, both Nimitz and Zumwalt used tours in the naval office in charge of personnel as key stepping stones, while Rickover personally selected every officer going into nuclear submarines with infamously torturous interviews.
Character matters, and tempering your own character and knowing the quality of those around you is key. The virtues of character are commonplace: insight, boldness, generosity, knowing when to go along and when to fight, and above all resilience to life's knocks. Apply them is hard.
For all it's naval overtures, this is hardly a militaristic book. The subjects are lauded more for innovation and organizational transformation over tactical skill or boldness in battle. Some interesting common themes pop out: Leaders are overwhelming leaders of human beings. Themistocles rallied his sailors with brave speeches, and Nelson forged a band of brothers. In the modern era, both Nimitz and Zumwalt used tours in the naval office in charge of personnel as key stepping stones, while Rickover personally selected every officer going into nuclear submarines with infamously torturous interviews.
Character matters, and tempering your own character and knowing the quality of those around you is key. The virtues of character are commonplace: insight, boldness, generosity, knowing when to go along and when to fight, and above all resilience to life's knocks. Apply them is hard.
January 25, 2023
A rare book - spanning history, autobiography, and management theory - the work presents the material in a coherent, highly readable framework (individual chapters consisting of a collection of great seafarers ranging from Themistocles and Zheng He to Nelson and Nimitz). Each chapter combines the: (1) author’s personal touch points with the individual, historical figure, (2) background on the figure, (3) their leadership/management style, (4) the author’s experiences with these traits, and (5) takeaways for the reader.
My favorite is the chapter on Chester Nimitz, as inadvertently his essential habits of management are ones that I have tried (however imperfectly) to follow in my professional life: (1) delegate well by sublimating your ego and allowing others to shine, (2) be creative, resourceful and humane in how you deal with colleagues, and (3) know where your job ends and your subordinates begin.
A book you’ll consult even after you’ve done the first reading!!
😎
My favorite is the chapter on Chester Nimitz, as inadvertently his essential habits of management are ones that I have tried (however imperfectly) to follow in my professional life: (1) delegate well by sublimating your ego and allowing others to shine, (2) be creative, resourceful and humane in how you deal with colleagues, and (3) know where your job ends and your subordinates begin.
A book you’ll consult even after you’ve done the first reading!!
😎
May 2, 2023
Really enjoyed this and the impetus to improve that comes with seeing the lives of those that accomplished much.
July 17, 2022
Wonderful. Not so much a collection of biography as a thoughtful analysis of what leadership qualities each of these admirals manifested, and how they can be applied today.
October 4, 2020
This book offers a creative way of teaching leadership skills (creativity, by the way, is one of Stavridis's components of leadership). By using the examples of ten well-known admirals throughout history, from Greek Themistocles to Grace Hopper and the first black woman four-star admiral Michelle Howard, the author parses their leadership skills and offers a summary of what characteristics contributed to making them successful leaders. I had a special interest in Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II who ultimately accepted the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay.
The script is peppered with inspiring quotes such as "Read, think, write, publish." and "There is no white navy, there is no black navy, there is just one navy."
I found all the admirals very interesting in addition to Stavridis, who is extremely accomplished himself. The last chapter of the book gives his own take on leadership and the role character plays, and suggests how one can hone their own leadership skills. He gives ten components of leadership, and asks readers to consider who their heroes are, and why. He then reveals his own and the reasons behind his choices. An inspiring read.
The script is peppered with inspiring quotes such as "Read, think, write, publish." and "There is no white navy, there is no black navy, there is just one navy."
I found all the admirals very interesting in addition to Stavridis, who is extremely accomplished himself. The last chapter of the book gives his own take on leadership and the role character plays, and suggests how one can hone their own leadership skills. He gives ten components of leadership, and asks readers to consider who their heroes are, and why. He then reveals his own and the reasons behind his choices. An inspiring read.
January 12, 2021
I have never been particularly drawn to military leaders as paragons of virtue, but after watching Stavridis on an episode of PBS's Great Conversations I was intrigued enough to pick up this book.
Admiral Stavridis does a phenomenal job providing just the right mixture of biography, history, and philosophical descriptions of what he considers the most valuable elements of character. Considering the current state of the American political milleau, this work could not have come at a better time.
I found his mini biographies quite compelling. Their respective examples of character were skillfully described without getting too bogged down in details. I found his descriptions of their various picadillos quite refreshing. It humanized them and put them into a context we can all relate to; trying to do our best despite our shortcomings and history of mistakes. Resilience!
Stavridis is a modern intellectual who does not shy away from admitting his own faults and pays homage to atypical military brass. His descriptions of Admirals Hopper and Howard were inspiring, and their virtues worthy of emulation.
If you enjoy reading about history, successful military leaders, self-improvement, want to be a better leader, or merely want to be a better human being, please pick up this book!
Admiral Stavridis does a phenomenal job providing just the right mixture of biography, history, and philosophical descriptions of what he considers the most valuable elements of character. Considering the current state of the American political milleau, this work could not have come at a better time.
I found his mini biographies quite compelling. Their respective examples of character were skillfully described without getting too bogged down in details. I found his descriptions of their various picadillos quite refreshing. It humanized them and put them into a context we can all relate to; trying to do our best despite our shortcomings and history of mistakes. Resilience!
Stavridis is a modern intellectual who does not shy away from admitting his own faults and pays homage to atypical military brass. His descriptions of Admirals Hopper and Howard were inspiring, and their virtues worthy of emulation.
If you enjoy reading about history, successful military leaders, self-improvement, want to be a better leader, or merely want to be a better human being, please pick up this book!
October 7, 2022
I have enjoyed reading the author/Admiral’s very thoughtful editorials and articles so I thought I would read this highly rated book.
It was just okay for me. He wrote about ten very interesting and impressive leaders with his reasoning as to why. No doubt that most of them would and have made a great study for more detailed books.
I did walk away with a desire to read more about Admiral Zumwalt and the U.S. Navy’s culture evolution.
It was just okay for me. He wrote about ten very interesting and impressive leaders with his reasoning as to why. No doubt that most of them would and have made a great study for more detailed books.
I did walk away with a desire to read more about Admiral Zumwalt and the U.S. Navy’s culture evolution.
October 17, 2022
The life stories and achievements of ten naval leaders ranging from ancient times to the present day are the vehicles of Admiral Stavrides' reflections on naval leadership as illistrated by events from his own life, a mini- memoir as it were. While the writing and organization are formulaic, their thoughts and insights are informative and thought provoking.
November 12, 2019
Excellent review of famous and infamous Naval commanders
This a thoughtful and well-written account of individuals that have influenced Admiral Stavridis . He weaves historical fact and analyzes how they have effected his life. It is an easy read and I highly recommend it.
This a thoughtful and well-written account of individuals that have influenced Admiral Stavridis . He weaves historical fact and analyzes how they have effected his life. It is an easy read and I highly recommend it.
October 13, 2019
Review coming soon in my Pedantic Literary Historian column at The Coil. Will cross-post.
January 28, 2021
Actually one of his better books. Very engaging and a great tempo to the read. He’s beginning to grow on me. 🤷🏼♂️
April 24, 2021
This wasn't quite what I expected...it was more a leadership/motivation book, but I did enjoy learning about some of the lesser-known admirals from history.
August 30, 2021
SAILING TRUE NORTH
> So often we see leaders who lock themselves into a rhetorical position and cannot summon the flexibility to shift arguments when necessary to achieve success.
Character requires both conviction and flexibility.
> In the end, a fundamental part of human character is a believe in oneself. This can be expressed as quiet confidence; or, sadly it can cross the line to arrogance. The quality of arrogance is one that we all must avoid if we are to live lives to character
> This does not mean swinging for the fences on every pitch, but rather being selective in what we try and recognizing that with risk comes occasional failure. Finding the courage to accept failure is part of the voyage of character and is the gateway to creativity.
> The quality of character – decisiveness – is a good example of the adage that so often an imperfect plan executed with determination and ferocity is better than cautiously waiting for everything to fall into place perfectly. In my own decision making, I’ve tried to take a 90 percent rule on the really big, dangerous decisions – especially in combat. Leaving 10 percent to chance but acting decisively.
> Another good psychological technique is simply keeping a sense of perspective on whatever you perceive as danger ahead. In all but the direst of circumstances, there is a way to make the situation safer – by concentrating on that, instead of allowing panic to dominate you mind, you have the best chance of reacting with courage and danger threatens.
> As always in life, a character trait like boldness can simultaneously be your greatest strength and your greatest weakness. The trick is using it to inspire others, challenge your assumptions and move with alacrity when it makes sense.
> Learning the lesson of true compassion toward our subordinates is crucial. Today it is fashionable to speak of servant leaderships, and many very senior people espouse this philosophy, but far less often do we see the most senior leaders do tangible things that are of benefit to their subordinate colleagues.
> It is right to be utterly determined in truly urgent matters, but be willing to be flexible and listen to the other side of the argument otherwise.
> Innovation, in the end, is crucial to the development of character. First, changing something as fundamental as out inner compass requires in essence a decide and ability to innovate.
> The secret to Nimitz’s success was his skillful management of a relatively few people: those above him who managed the entire war effort and those around and just below him who conducted the actual fighting.
> Strategy is a team sport
> Nimitz was an outstanding delegator…..by identifying and growing talent quickly – and just as quickly clarifying who was in the wrong job. Being an effective delegator means first and foremost sublimating your ego and allowing others to shine in the spotlight.
> A leader needs to lead - but leadership needs to be believable to be effective.
> Ask what any organization you lead is doing right now that is going to look really wrong fifty years into the future.
> Truly effective compassion as a mark of character does not consist in random acts of kindness but in an active approach to leadership. Second, compassionate leaders not only look for problems, but recognize they don not have all of the answers.
> True instinctive mentors take the responsibility of mentorship seriously and go about it in a systematic and organized way. Too often, “mentors” pay lip service to the idea of helping others up the ladder, but don’t truly follow up or remain consistent in their approach. Mentorship should include keeping a file on good people to draw upon for key assignments, following up with mentees frequently (at least every 6 months) on both professional and personal aspects of their progress, actively seeking to place mentees with other outstanding role models and providing honest and thoughtful advice to ensure that mentees make intelligent career and personal decisions.
> But there is another side to loyalty, and it is a darker one. When is it appropriate to be loyal to a boss who is simply a bad leader? Or demonstrates ethically unacceptable views? In this sense, we owe not blind loyalty to the individuals above us in the chain of command, but rather loyalty to the larger values of an organization or a nation.
> Leadership can feel lonely – “at the top of the mountain, the strongest winds blow”
> Innovation matters deeply, but even if you have the right answer, you must be capable of bringing along the nonbelievers.
> I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.
> So often we see leaders who lock themselves into a rhetorical position and cannot summon the flexibility to shift arguments when necessary to achieve success.
Character requires both conviction and flexibility.
> In the end, a fundamental part of human character is a believe in oneself. This can be expressed as quiet confidence; or, sadly it can cross the line to arrogance. The quality of arrogance is one that we all must avoid if we are to live lives to character
> This does not mean swinging for the fences on every pitch, but rather being selective in what we try and recognizing that with risk comes occasional failure. Finding the courage to accept failure is part of the voyage of character and is the gateway to creativity.
> The quality of character – decisiveness – is a good example of the adage that so often an imperfect plan executed with determination and ferocity is better than cautiously waiting for everything to fall into place perfectly. In my own decision making, I’ve tried to take a 90 percent rule on the really big, dangerous decisions – especially in combat. Leaving 10 percent to chance but acting decisively.
> Another good psychological technique is simply keeping a sense of perspective on whatever you perceive as danger ahead. In all but the direst of circumstances, there is a way to make the situation safer – by concentrating on that, instead of allowing panic to dominate you mind, you have the best chance of reacting with courage and danger threatens.
> As always in life, a character trait like boldness can simultaneously be your greatest strength and your greatest weakness. The trick is using it to inspire others, challenge your assumptions and move with alacrity when it makes sense.
> Learning the lesson of true compassion toward our subordinates is crucial. Today it is fashionable to speak of servant leaderships, and many very senior people espouse this philosophy, but far less often do we see the most senior leaders do tangible things that are of benefit to their subordinate colleagues.
> It is right to be utterly determined in truly urgent matters, but be willing to be flexible and listen to the other side of the argument otherwise.
> Innovation, in the end, is crucial to the development of character. First, changing something as fundamental as out inner compass requires in essence a decide and ability to innovate.
> The secret to Nimitz’s success was his skillful management of a relatively few people: those above him who managed the entire war effort and those around and just below him who conducted the actual fighting.
> Strategy is a team sport
> Nimitz was an outstanding delegator…..by identifying and growing talent quickly – and just as quickly clarifying who was in the wrong job. Being an effective delegator means first and foremost sublimating your ego and allowing others to shine in the spotlight.
> A leader needs to lead - but leadership needs to be believable to be effective.
> Ask what any organization you lead is doing right now that is going to look really wrong fifty years into the future.
> Truly effective compassion as a mark of character does not consist in random acts of kindness but in an active approach to leadership. Second, compassionate leaders not only look for problems, but recognize they don not have all of the answers.
> True instinctive mentors take the responsibility of mentorship seriously and go about it in a systematic and organized way. Too often, “mentors” pay lip service to the idea of helping others up the ladder, but don’t truly follow up or remain consistent in their approach. Mentorship should include keeping a file on good people to draw upon for key assignments, following up with mentees frequently (at least every 6 months) on both professional and personal aspects of their progress, actively seeking to place mentees with other outstanding role models and providing honest and thoughtful advice to ensure that mentees make intelligent career and personal decisions.
> But there is another side to loyalty, and it is a darker one. When is it appropriate to be loyal to a boss who is simply a bad leader? Or demonstrates ethically unacceptable views? In this sense, we owe not blind loyalty to the individuals above us in the chain of command, but rather loyalty to the larger values of an organization or a nation.
> Leadership can feel lonely – “at the top of the mountain, the strongest winds blow”
> Innovation matters deeply, but even if you have the right answer, you must be capable of bringing along the nonbelievers.
> I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.
December 4, 2023
هذا الكتاب كان هدية من أخ عزيز قبل وداعي ذلك المكان الذي جمعنا لعامين.. من عنوانه يوحي بأسراره..الإبحار نحو الشمال الحقيقي.. عشر سير ذاتية أو ارتحال في أسرار شخصيات أشهر أدميرالات التاريخ البحري القديم والحديث.. من وجهة نظر الكاتب طبعا.. جيمس ستافريديس.. والذي هو نفسه أدميرال أمريكي(٤ نجوم) متقاعد حديثاً .. شغل مناصب قياديةكبيرة أهمها قائد قوات التحالف في حلف الناتو وقائد القيادة الجنوبية للأسطول الأمريكي..
استعرض فيها طبعا وبشكل متحيز .. دراكر ونيلسون وفيشر من بريطانيا.. ومن العصور القديمة للإغريق والصينيين.. والبقية من أدميرالات البحرية الأمريكية..ربمافرضته البيئة المحيطة الأكاديمية التي كانت ضمن مراحل قياداته..
لم أشعر بالغربة بين صفحاته.. نوستالجيا البحر الذي قضيت فيه عقدا ونيف لازالت راسخة في ذاكرتي..
تحدث عن محاسنهم وسقطاتهم بعض الأحيان..من باب النزاهة والشفافية..وطبعاً لم ينسلخ من الآيديولوجيا والقيم الأمريكية التي تغلفها البراجماتية والغائية ..
تحدث عن أسوأ لحظات قائد السفينة عندما يتابع بحسرة سفينته مسحوبة لعطل ما تجاه الميناء وأنها لحظات لا يتمناها أي قائد في مسيرته.. ومن الدروس المهمة للضباط أن لا تتحدث عن قائدك بسوء وراء ظهره ما دمت لا تملك الشجاعة لمواجهته..
ختم الكتاب الشيق.. بالقيم والصفات التي يجب أن ينمّيها ويطورها القائد في نفسه مثل الايمان بالنفس والرسوخ والصلابة والتواضع والتوازن بين العمل والأسرة والأمانة والنزاهة والتعاطف مع مشاعر وأحوال من تقودهم.. وطبعاً العدالة والإنصاف.. والأهم القوة في اتخاذ القرار.. والتصميم..وأخيراً.. النظر للأحداث ومجريات الحياة بعين المراقب ..كتاب شيق لا يغني أي ملخص عنه .. حيث تعيش مع سير قباطنة عظماء كان تأثيرهم وظل مؤثراً في مصير أممهم ..
استعرض فيها طبعا وبشكل متحيز .. دراكر ونيلسون وفيشر من بريطانيا.. ومن العصور القديمة للإغريق والصينيين.. والبقية من أدميرالات البحرية الأمريكية..ربمافرضته البيئة المحيطة الأكاديمية التي كانت ضمن مراحل قياداته..
لم أشعر بالغربة بين صفحاته.. نوستالجيا البحر الذي قضيت فيه عقدا ونيف لازالت راسخة في ذاكرتي..
تحدث عن محاسنهم وسقطاتهم بعض الأحيان..من باب النزاهة والشفافية..وطبعاً لم ينسلخ من الآيديولوجيا والقيم الأمريكية التي تغلفها البراجماتية والغائية ..
تحدث عن أسوأ لحظات قائد السفينة عندما يتابع بحسرة سفينته مسحوبة لعطل ما تجاه الميناء وأنها لحظات لا يتمناها أي قائد في مسيرته.. ومن الدروس المهمة للضباط أن لا تتحدث عن قائدك بسوء وراء ظهره ما دمت لا تملك الشجاعة لمواجهته..
ختم الكتاب الشيق.. بالقيم والصفات التي يجب أن ينمّيها ويطورها القائد في نفسه مثل الايمان بالنفس والرسوخ والصلابة والتواضع والتوازن بين العمل والأسرة والأمانة والنزاهة والتعاطف مع مشاعر وأحوال من تقودهم.. وطبعاً العدالة والإنصاف.. والأهم القوة في اتخاذ القرار.. والتصميم..وأخيراً.. النظر للأحداث ومجريات الحياة بعين المراقب ..كتاب شيق لا يغني أي ملخص عنه .. حيث تعيش مع سير قباطنة عظماء كان تأثيرهم وظل مؤثراً في مصير أممهم ..
August 12, 2025
From one of the most distinguished admirals of our time and a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, a meditation on leadership and character refracted through the lives of ten of the most illustrious naval commanders in history. In “Sailing True North,” Admiral Stavridis offers lessons of leadership and character from the lives and careers of history's most significant naval commanders. He also brings a lifetime of reflection to bear on the subjects of his study – naval history, the vocation of the admiral, and global geopolitics. Above all, this is a book that will help you navigate your own life's voyage: the voyage of leadership of course, but more important, the voyage of character. “Sailing True North” helps us find the right course to chart. Simply as epic lives, the tales of these ten admirals offer up a collection of the greatest imaginable sea stories. Moreover, spanning 2,500 years from ancient Greece to the twenty-first century, “Sailing True North” is a book that offers a history of the world through the prism of our greatest naval leaders. None of the admirals in this volume were perfect, and some were deeply flawed. But from Themistocles, Drake, and Nelson to Nimitz, Rickover, and Hopper, important themes emerge, not least that serving your reputation is a poor substitute for serving your character; and that taking time to read and reflect is not a luxury, it's a necessity.
April 2, 2023
Enjoyed this one. Lots of good lessons
- Leadership and character can merge in a single individual
- leadership is a tool not a quality
- The ability to lead the inner self towards what is right
- The sea daily poses hard challenges that depends on deep reserves of character to overcome
- Can walk out on a rolling deck at night and stare at the distant point where the sky meets the sea and recognize that we are the smallest part of a huge and diverse universe
- The sign of a great sailor is never getting into a situation that requires great sailing.
- Gain resilience through stoicism and perspective
- Realize the world is painful and hard and whining and complaining are not helpful
- In case signals can neither be seen or perfectly understood, No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy
- A subordinate is worthless if he always agrees with his supervisor
- We built this county on taking chances
- The evil doppelgänger of success is arrogance
- Resilience is key to both character and leadership
- Find balance in life
- Honesty - be truthful no matter the cost
- Empathy - develop a habit of putting yourself in the shoes of the other
- Sense of justice and self control
- Decisiveness
- Exhaustion can degrade your most important qualities
- We are but sailing on a tiny ship on a boundless sea.
- Resume virtues vs eulogy virtues m
- Leadership and character can merge in a single individual
- leadership is a tool not a quality
- The ability to lead the inner self towards what is right
- The sea daily poses hard challenges that depends on deep reserves of character to overcome
- Can walk out on a rolling deck at night and stare at the distant point where the sky meets the sea and recognize that we are the smallest part of a huge and diverse universe
- The sign of a great sailor is never getting into a situation that requires great sailing.
- Gain resilience through stoicism and perspective
- Realize the world is painful and hard and whining and complaining are not helpful
- In case signals can neither be seen or perfectly understood, No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy
- A subordinate is worthless if he always agrees with his supervisor
- We built this county on taking chances
- The evil doppelgänger of success is arrogance
- Resilience is key to both character and leadership
- Find balance in life
- Honesty - be truthful no matter the cost
- Empathy - develop a habit of putting yourself in the shoes of the other
- Sense of justice and self control
- Decisiveness
- Exhaustion can degrade your most important qualities
- We are but sailing on a tiny ship on a boundless sea.
- Resume virtues vs eulogy virtues m
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