S2A’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

Leadership in the Marine Corps is built on adaptability, resilience, and a mission-first mindset—qualities that translate seamlessly into the civilian sector. As a Marine, you learn to lead diverse teams in high-pressure situations, making decisions that impact both people and outcomes. The ability to inspire, guide, and motivate individuals to achieve a common goal—whether it's in the field or the boardroom—remains the same. In the corporate world, leaders are asked to navigate uncertainty, drive innovation, and empower their teams to excel. My time in the Marine Corps taught me how to manage resources, handle complexity, and lead with integrity. It’s about setting clear goals, communicating effectively, and fostering a culture of accountability. These leadership fundamentals are not just military principles—they’re universal. For those transitioning, don’t underestimate the value of your military leadership experience. It’s exactly what today’s dynamic organizations need. #Leadership #VeteranLeadership #Transition #MilitaryToCivilian

Leadership is not just about guiding those you know, but about forging bonds with those who guide others. Grateful for this recent opportunity to engage with the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Each moment spent with exemplary leaders offers profound insights and inspiration. Here's to embracing leadership that empowers and elevates. #LeadershipDevelopment #AirForce #Mentorship"

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

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

Throughout my career, one question consistently emerges: "What did the Marine Corps teach you about leadership?" This Veterans Day, I'm honored to announce my response to this enduring question. In January 2025, I'll be launching "Demystifying Military Leadership: A Practical Guide in Becoming the Leader You Want to Be." This program distills the core leadership principles I learned as a Marine, translated for civilian success. No combat stories or boot camp tales – just battle-tested leadership strategies that work in any environment. Whether you're leading a team of three or three hundred, you'll learn actionable frameworks that transform military leadership wisdom into practical business success. Early registration opens this November. Follow me for program details and leadership insights. #VeteransDay #Leadership #MarineCorps #ProfessionalDevelopment #choosetobegreattoday

The biggest leadership flex? Set a great example! Leadership takes many forms, but none are as powerful or lasting as the example you set. We read the books, strategize, and plan—all important. But how often do we focus on the leadership we model every day? Think about it: How do individuals without formal authority lead? How do the most effective managers inspire their teams? What trait do we tend to remember most in our best leaders? The answer is simple: they lead by example. Setting a great example is always the right thing to do. What do you think? Do you have a strong memory of a leader who set a great example? #settheexample #leadership #army #military

Navy SEALs are known for their exceptional teamwork and leadership skills. But, as Alden Mills, a successful CEO and three-time SEAL Platoon Commander, pointed out in our Partnering Leadership conversation, not everything that works for the SEALs transfers seamlessly to the civilian world. In fact, Alden argues that leading in the civilian world can be even more challenging than leading a platoon of Navy SEALs. However, there are crucial leadership elements that do translate, and one of the most essential is trust. 🤝 In the SEALs, team members have unwavering faith in each other because they train relentlessly to build that trust. They know that their lives depend on it. While in the civilian world, team members' lives might not depend on each other, the success of the team and the organization certainly does. 💡 And this lack of deep trust is a challenge I see in many teams, including leadership teams of organizations. I see low trust resulting in a lack of alignment and ineffective execution. Don't assume that trust among your team is a 10 out of 10! 😉 Where would you put trust among your team members on a scale of 0-10? How would they rate their trust for and in each other? In most teams and organizations, people's lives don't depend on trusting each other, however, 👉 organizational alignment and effective execution do! What are you doing to continually build greater trust among your team members? #partneringleadership #leadership Strategic Leadership Ventures #trust #strategy #management #culture #collaboration #trust #alignment

In the professional landscape, leadership is often misconstrued as a title held or a position earned. However, at the Armed Forces Business Centre, we understand that authentic leadership is manifested through action and the power of setting a positive example. It’s the capacity to influence, motivate, and guide others towards a collective goal that defines a true leader. Leadership is inherent in the mentor who invests in your potential, the peer who collaborates to elevate the entire team, or the visionary who sees beyond the horizon and charts a course for others to follow. It’s about the impact created and the legacy left, not the accolades received. The AFBC is built on the principle of leading by example, whether through our support programs for service members and their families, or our approach to community engagement. We strive to lead in a way that brings out the best in others, fostering an environment of mutual growth and respect. In our ever-evolving professional world, let’s take a moment to reflect on the essence of leadership. Share with us the qualities you value in a leader and the individuals who have embodied these traits in your career. By acknowledging these role models, we can collectively redefine leadership for the better. Let’s engage in a dialogue that celebrates the unsung heroes in our networks, the quiet leaders whose actions speak volumes. Your insights can inspire the next generation of professionals to lead with integrity, passion, and purpose. #AFBC #Family #Community #Armedforces #Military #Emergencyservices #NHS #Colchester #Leadership

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