Mahan Tavakoli’s Post

I just finished Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, and highly recommend it as a practical leadership guide. Drawing from their experiences as SEAL officers in the battle of Ramadi, Iraq, the authors present key leadership principles like "Cover and Move" and "Prioritize and Execute," using real battlefield scenarios to illustrate how these lessons can be applied to business. The core idea of "extreme ownership" stresses that leaders must take full responsibility for their team's outcomes, which fosters accountability and stronger teamwork. Willink and Babin’s straightforward, actionable advice focuses on critical leadership skills, such as decision-making under pressure and effective communication. While some points may seem repetitive, the blend of military and business insights makes this an essential read for leaders looking to improve their effectiveness and strengthen their teams. #ExtremeOwnership #Leadership #Teamwork #JockoWillink #LeifBabin #SEALLeadership #Accountability #BusinessLeadership #PrioritizeAndExecute #DecisionMaking #TeamBuilding #LeadershipDevelopment #MustRead #LeadershipSkills #MilitaryToBusiness #EffectiveLeadership

What's the most powerful phrase for any leader? "What do you recommend?" When you hear this story about L. David Marquet, you'll understand why the third crucial leadership behavior in our series is Raise Expectations. Marquet took command of the USS Santa Fe, the worst-performing submarine in the Navy, on very short notice. With little time to learn the ins and outs of the ship—and lives at stake—he took a unique approach for a Navy Commander: Instead of giving orders, he started asking his crew "What do you recommend?" This simple shift empowered his team to think critically, take ownership, and become more independent. By raising expectations and trusting his crew's expertise, Marquet transformed the Santa Fe into the Navy's highest-performing vessel. As leaders, when we raise expectations, we unlock potential by signaling our belief in our team's capabilities. This inspires them to rise to the challenge and often exceed what they thought possible. How are you raising expectations in your organization? #Leadership #Accountability #GrowthMindset #RaiseExpectations #ExecutiveCoaching _____________ I'm Mark Green. I coach, write and speak to help growth-minded leaders unlock more of their potential and learn how to do the same for their teams. Connect with me for straight talk, practical insights, and actionable tools. Click my name + follow + 🔔

While on vacation, I finished the book Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. It is an interesting review of the leadership principles forged in the high-stakes combat environment yet still applicable to the boardroom and beyond. Willink and Babin are highly decorated former SEAL officers deployed to Iraq. Each chapter starts with a blow-by-blow account of a particular operation they led while in Iraq. They then distill the essence of the leadership principles employed during the operation and show how they are valuable as a business leader. Their primary theory (which is very compelling) is that leaders must fully own their decisions, their team's performance, and the outcome. I can see how ideas like Cover and Move, Decentralized Command, and the Dichotomy of Leadership can remake organizational and personal performance. I appreciated that the book's thrust isn't just about winning in combat or business; it's about adopting a mindset of responsibility and leadership that transcends circumstances.  I recommend a trip to the library for this one. I gave it a 4/5 on my Goodreads. #leadership #teamwork

Mission-Driven Mastery – The Power of Purpose Teamwork like Air Force pilots, a Marine unit, or Navy SEALs isn't just about the mission—it's our identity. Every operation embodies a commitment to a greater cause. That's camaraderie. That's purpose. That's the heart of a combat unit. As a leader, imagine transferring that purpose to your team. Imagine the performance you can get from not only your “A” players, but your “B” players when they know their purpose. Engaged employees can boost performance by 40%. That’s how good leadership can power your team to peak performance. What are you doing to enhance your leadership? Looking for a speaker at your next event: Full Throttle Leadership – Powering Teams for Peak Performance https://lnkd.in/gW_bZibV #fullthrottleleadership #peakperformance #positiveleadership #executivetraining #leadershiptraining #leadershipdevelopment #motivationalspeaker

As leaders, it is not just about recognizing when something is wrong—it is about knowing what "right" looks like and helping their teams achieve it. ⚓️ In a recent letter, Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy Honea emphasized a key leadership lesson that resonates at all levels: the critical importance of self-assessment and self-correction— embracing a growth mindset. Chiefs have consistently demonstrated their ability to lead in challenging environments, but their continuous growth hinges on knowing themselves and making necessary adjustments. This year, the theme on self-awareness is deepened with discussions aimed at fostering a culture of excellence. Leaders must foster a culture that enables having honest conversations, embrace the need for continuous growth, actively work toward improving performance, mission impact, and service delivery. These lessons are not only valuable for Navy Chiefs but are applicable to leaders everywhere. Embracing a growth mindset through continuous self-assessment is crucial for building great teams and driving success. Excited for this year’s effort to ground all past, current, and future Navy Chiefs with this mindset. #Leadership #Management #Navy #ChiefInduction #Veterans #Culture #GrowthMindset #Service

How Does a Strong Team Identity Benefit Leaders and Teams? In this video, I talk with Ewen Murchison DSO MBE, former Major General in the Royal Marines, and reflect on the dual benefits of building a strong shared identity within a team—for both team members and leaders. Jeremy explains: “As a leader, there are moments when you're away from your team, navigating complex challenges and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. If your organisation has invested in creating a strong shared identity, it doesn’t just support your team—it supports you as a leader, too.” 💡 How can a strong team identity help you tackle high-pressure leadership challenges? Explore this and more at The Identity Edge Masterclass, designed to help leaders build teams that perform under pressure. 📅 Date: 21 January 2025 📍 Location: The In & Out Naval and Military Club, St James' Square, London, SW1Y 4JU 🎟️ Register now: https://buff.ly/3OK5Bt4 . . . . . #Leadership #TeamIdentity #HighPerformanceTeams #IdentityEdge #masterclass #centreforteamexcellence

How Does a Strong Team Identity Benefit Leaders and Teams? In this video, I talk with Ewen Murchison DSO MBE, former Major General in the Royal Marines, and reflect on the dual benefits of building a strong shared identity within a team—for both team members and leaders. Jeremy explains: “As a leader, there are moments when you're away from your team, navigating complex challenges and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. If your organisation has invested in creating a strong shared identity, it doesn’t just support your team—it supports you as a leader, too.” 💡 How can a strong team identity help you tackle high-pressure leadership challenges? Explore this and more at The Identity Edge Masterclass, designed to help leaders build teams that perform under pressure. 📅 Date: 21 January 2025 📍 Location: The In & Out Naval and Military Club, St James' Square, London, SW1Y 4JU 🎟️ Register now: https://buff.ly/3OK5Bt4 . . . . . #Leadership #TeamIdentity #HighPerformanceTeams #IdentityEdge #masterclass #centreforteamexcellence

The good news coming out of NILE continues! We were thrilled to be back at Kirtland Air Force Base serving the NCO community there this month. Our commitment to developing strong leaders and building a culture of growth and resilience is unwavering, and it’s deeply rewarding to see these efforts resonate with those who participate in the NILE program. The feedback from this cohort has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re excited to share some of their thoughts with you: “This course is filled with a boatload of valuable information that can help almost anyone improve their leadership abilities.” “Essential for brand new NCOs. Gave me names and definitions for leadership goals that I have been thinking about - allowing me to have a path forward.” “Its focus on connectivity is important. We talk of esprit de corps, but take for granted how to achieve it. The building blocks can be found here if the NCOs are willing to take them and use them.” “It is necessary to take classes like this if we want to change the culture of our force.” “Highly recommend. If you complain about the culture and the environment around you etc., this will give you the tools to effect change at least at your level.” “In my 11 years of service, this has been the most beneficial piece of the Air Force I have ever received.” “Every member of the military, no matter what branch, needs to have a similar kind of training.” If you’d like to learn more about how NILE can empower your leaders and enhance your organizational culture, please reach out. #LeadershipDevelopment #MilitaryLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #NILE

"Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin is a leadership book that draws lessons from the authors' experiences as Navy SEAL officers. The book emphasizes the concept of extreme ownership, which means taking full responsibility for everything in your world. Willink and Babin explain how this mindset can lead to success in both military and civilian leadership roles. The authors illustrate their principles through combat stories and examples from their SEAL training. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, decisiveness, and accountability in all aspects of leadership. Willink and Babin argue that by taking ownership of their actions and decisions, leaders can empower their teams to perform at their best and achieve their goals. The book also covers key leadership principles such as prioritizing and executing, decentralized command, and leading up and down the chain of command. Willink and Babin stress the importance of creating a culture of trust and mutual respect within a team, where every member feels valued and empowered to contribute. One of the core messages of the book is that true leadership is not about control or ego but about serving the mission and the team. By leading with humility and a strong sense of responsibility, leaders can inspire others to follow their example and achieve extraordinary results. Overall, "Extreme Ownership" offers practical insights and strategies for individuals at all levels who want to improve their leadership skills and make a positive impact on their teams and organizations. It serves as a compelling guide for anyone looking to adopt a more effective and accountable approach to leadership. #booksummary #weekend #leadership #accountability #clearcommunication #trust #mutualrespect

What's Your Battle Plan? As a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, I can relate to having a clear-cut path laid out for career advancement. From the Air Force Academy to specialized schools and leadership schools like Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff, Air War College etc., the pathway is clear, except for gaining operation experience. You want this promotion, this school, here is what the path looks like. But here's the kicker: does your company have a battle plan for developing its future leaders? Do your employees know what it takes to climb the ranks and achieve their goals? It's not just about checking off boxes; it's about providing clear guidance and opportunities for growth. That's where I come in. As a speaker and executive coach, I specialize in Full Throttle Leadership – powering teams for peak performance. Let's rev up your organization's leadership development and drive your teams towards success! Book me for your next event and let's start unleashing the full potential of your team. Visit https://lnkd.in/gqvPtxX8 to learn more. #FullThrottleLeadership #PeakPerformance #PositiveLeadership #LeadershipTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveTraining #MotivationalSpeaker