Extreme Ownership

1. Extreme Ownership: Leaders must take full responsibility

If an individual on the team is not performing at the level required for the team to succeed, the leader must train and mentor that underperformer.

Accept total responsibility. Leaders must own everything in their world, including the mistakes and shortcomings of their subordinates. When a team member fails, the leader must look in the mirror and recognize that they have failed to set expectations or provide the necessary training and mentorship.

No excuses. Extreme Ownership means never blaming others or making excuses. Instead, leaders must acknowledge mistakes, develop solutions, and improve. This mindset builds trust, respect, and a culture of accountability throughout the organization.

Empower the team. By taking full responsibility, leaders create an environment where team members feel supported and empowered to take initiative, make decisions, and learn from their mistakes. This approach fosters growth, innovation, and a sense of ownership at all levels of the organization.

2. No bad teams, only bad leaders: Leadership is the defining factor

The best leaders don't just take responsibility for their job. They take Extreme Ownership of everything that impacts their mission.

Leadership transforms performance. The authors demonstrate through military examples how changing leadership can dramatically improve a team's performance, even when all other factors remain the same. This principle applies equally in business and other organizational contexts.

Set high standards. Effective leaders establish and enforce high standards of performance. They lead by example, demonstrating the level of effort and attention to detail they expect from their team.

Develop subordinates. Good leaders invest time and energy in training and mentoring their team members. They identify strengths and weaknesses, provide constructive feedback, and create opportunities for growth and development.

3. Believe in the mission: Leaders must convince their team of the "why"

If a leader does not believe, he or she will not take the risks required to overcome the inevitable challenges necessary to win.

Understand the bigger picture. Leaders must comprehend and communicate the strategic objectives behind their team's mission. This understanding allows them to make better decisions and adapt to changing circumstances.

Align the team. When team members understand the purpose behind their tasks, they become more motivated, engaged, and resilient in the face of challenges. Leaders must consistently reinforce the mission's importance and how each individual's role contributes to overall success.

Lead by example. A leader's belief in the mission is evident in their actions, decisions, and attitude. By demonstrating unwavering commitment, leaders inspire their teams to persevere through difficulties and maintain focus on the ultimate goal.

4. Check your ego: Confidence without arrogance is key

Ego clouds and disrupts everything: the planning process, the ability to take good advice, and the ability to accept constructive criticism.

Balance confidence and humility. Effective leaders must be confident in their abilities without becoming arrogant. They should remain open to feedback, willing to learn from others, and able to admit when they are wrong.

Foster a culture of accountability. By checking their ego, leaders create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, questioning decisions, and admitting mistakes. This openness leads to better problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Focus on the mission. When leaders prioritize the team's success over personal glory, they make better decisions and earn the respect and trust of their subordinates. This mission-focused approach helps overcome individual egos and align the team towards common goals.

5. Cover and Move: Teamwork is essential for success

Departments and groups within the team must break down silos, depend on each other and understand who depends on them.

Promote mutual support. Leaders must ensure that different teams or departments within an organization work together towards common goals. This requires clear communication, shared objectives, and a culture of collaboration.

Identify interdependencies. Understanding how different parts of an organization rely on each other is crucial for effective teamwork. Leaders should map these relationships and ensure that team members recognize their role in supporting others.

Break down silos. Actively work to eliminate barriers between teams or departments. Encourage cross-functional collaboration, share information freely, and create opportunities for different groups to work together on projects or solve problems.

6. Simple: Keep plans and communication clear and concise

Simplifying as much as possible is crucial to success. When plans and orders are too complicated, people may not understand them.

Clarity is key. Leaders must strive to communicate plans, objectives, and expectations in the simplest possible terms. This ensures that all team members understand their roles and responsibilities.

Avoid information overload. While thorough planning is important, excessive detail can lead to confusion and paralysis. Focus on the most critical information and provide additional details as needed.

Encourage questions and feedback. Create an environment where team members feel comfortable asking for clarification. Regularly check for understanding and be prepared to explain concepts in different ways if necessary.

7. Prioritize and Execute: Focus on the most critical tasks first

Prioritize your problems and take care of them one at a time, the highest priority first. Don't try to do everything at once or you won't be successful.

Identify the most pressing issues. In high-pressure situations, leaders must quickly assess and prioritize the most critical problems. This requires clear thinking and the ability to see the big picture.

Focus resources effectively. Once priorities are established, leaders should allocate time, personnel, and resources to address the most important tasks first. This ensures that critical issues are resolved before they escalate.

Maintain flexibility. As situations evolve, leaders must be prepared to reassess priorities and adjust their approach. Regular communication and situational awareness are essential for effective prioritization and execution.

8. Decentralized Command: Empower subordinate leaders

Human beings are generally not capable of managing more than six to ten people, particularly when things go sideways and inevitable contingencies arise.

Delegate authority. Effective leaders empower subordinates to make decisions and take initiative within their areas of responsibility. This allows the organization to respond more quickly and effectively to challenges.

Provide clear guidance. While empowering subordinates, leaders must ensure that everyone understands the overall mission, objectives, and boundaries of their authority. This alignment enables decentralized decision-making while maintaining cohesion.

Develop leadership at all levels. Invest in training and mentoring to build leadership capabilities throughout the organization. This creates a deeper bench of talent and improves overall organizational resilience and adaptability.

9. Plan: Prepare for likely contingencies

The best teams employ constant analysis of their tactics and measure their effectiveness so that they can adapt their methods and implement lessons learned for future missions.

Anticipate challenges. Thorough planning involves identifying potential obstacles and developing strategies to overcome them. This proactive approach improves the team's ability to respond to unexpected situations.

Encourage input from all levels. Involve team members in the planning process to leverage their expertise and gain buy-in. This collaborative approach often leads to more comprehensive and effective plans.

Learn and adapt. After each mission or project, conduct thorough debriefs to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. Incorporate these insights into future planning and training efforts.

10. Leading Up and Down the Chain: Influence in both directions

If your boss isn't making a decision in a timely manner or providing necessary support for you and your team, don't blame the boss. First, blame yourself.

Manage expectations. Effective leaders must be able to influence both their superiors and subordinates. This requires clear communication, building trust, and demonstrating competence at all levels.

Take responsibility. When facing challenges with superiors or subordinates, leaders should first examine their own actions and communication. Often, problems arise from misunderstandings or inadequate information sharing.

Provide solutions, not just problems. When approaching superiors with issues, come prepared with potential solutions and recommendations. This proactive approach demonstrates initiative and problem-solving skills.

11. Decisiveness amid Uncertainty: Act with incomplete information

There is no 100 percent right solution. The picture is never complete. Leaders must be comfortable with this and be able to make decisions promptly, then be ready to adjust those decisions quickly based on evolving situations and new information.

Accept imperfect information. Leaders must recognize that they will never have complete information in dynamic situations. The ability to make sound decisions with limited data is crucial for success.

Balance analysis and action. While gathering information is important, leaders must avoid analysis paralysis. Develop a decision-making framework that allows for quick assessment and action when necessary.

Remain flexible. Be prepared to adjust decisions as new information becomes available. Cultivate a mindset that values adaptability and continuous learning in the face of changing circumstances.

12. Discipline Equals Freedom: Balance is crucial for effective leadership

Discipline starts every day when the first alarm clock goes off in the morning. I say 'first alarm clock' because I have three, as I was taught by one of the most feared and respected instructors in SEAL training: one electric, one battery powered, one windup.

Establish routines and processes. Disciplined habits and standardized procedures create structure and efficiency, allowing for greater flexibility and creativity when facing challenges.

Balance structure and adaptability. While discipline is crucial, leaders must also remain flexible and open to new ideas. This balance enables organizations to maintain stability while innovating and responding to change.

Lead by example. Leaders must embody the discipline they expect from their teams. By demonstrating commitment to high standards and continuous improvement, leaders inspire their subordinates to strive for excellence.

Last updated: August 3, 2024