Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

by Jocko Willink

If you have the discipline to get out of bed, you win—you pass the test.

If I wanted extra time to work on my gear, clean my weapons, study tactics or new technology, I needed to make that time. The only way you could make time, was to get up early. That took discipline.

The best SEALs I worked with were invariably the most disciplined.

discipline was not only the most important quality for an individual but also for a team.

true leader is not intimidated when others step up and take charge.

That’s how you lead people. You build relationships with them.

You build relationships by respecting people. By being humble. By listening. By telling them the truth. By having integrity and telling people the truth.

I was always straight-forward with my guys. I would say, “Okay, here’s what’s going on. Here’s the problem. Here is what we screwed up. Here’s what we need to do better. Here’s the pressure I’m under from higher headquarters. Here is why I am under this pressure.”

I don’t see how this is going to help us win the battle. Can you please explain it to me so I can explain it to my guys?”

don’t confuse being honest with being a blunt and untactful and a jerk. You have to do jiu-jitsu. And for anyone that doesn’t do jiu-jitsu, jiu-jitsu is a very nuanced game, where you’re constantly trying to set things up and shape the situation.

Be humble. Listen. Respect people up and down the chain of command. Take input but be decisive. Be honest while being tactful. Stay balanced. Understand the perspective of people on the team both above you and below you. Take ownership of problems and mistakes. Give credit to the team. Finally, build relationships—good, solid, professional relationships with your team.

It’s awesome to have a weak leader. I love it. I get after it. It gives me so much more mobility in my job. If I have a strong leader, obviously, that’s great too. But a weak leader is no factor. Step up and take advantage of it. Step up and lead.