Extreme ownership - how US Navy SEALs lead and win
by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Extreme ownership - how US Navy SEALs lead and win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin is one of the best books in the realm of leadership. The authors of the book have an experience of over three-decade in combat military. They have seen extreme conditions throughout their lives and how they cope with those conditions and came out victorious. Based on their valuable experience, this book gives insight and understanding as to how extreme ownership and take full responsibility would help in the pursuit of objectives and completion of tasks. Extreme ownership should be the very foundation of a leader when he is pitting against odd. Subordinates look up to their leader and care not to muse much. Such behavior makes the position of leader even more crucial.
The book is divided into three main parts. The first one talks about winning the war within. The second part talks about the laws of combat and the third talks about sustaining victory. Each chapter in the book is a concept, a perspective, and an aspect.
On top of all is extreme ownership. Being in the position of a leader comes with a huge responsibility. A great leader is the one who takes full responsibility for his actions and decisions. He has to take responsibility for his failures too. The ownership directly affects the mission or the task. It takes mettle, courage, and a humble attitude to accept and admit the failure, although it is not an easy thing to admit the failure. A leader’s promoting of extreme ownership and responsibility trickle down to subordinates and compaction in the team takes place. Extreme ownership also vouches for the respect that a leader enjoys, from superiors and subordinates. The approach must be, “I am the only one to blame, and there is no one else”. The concept of extreme ownership is not only confined to the military. It very well functions the same in a business setting. It sometimes occurs that a brilliant plan fails during execution because of the negligence of stakeholders. In such a situation one should not blame others rather one should review the process and do everything which will make the plan better and fruitful.
