Extreme Ownership

How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

By: Jocko Willink, Leif Babin

Narrated by: Jocko Willink, Leif Babin

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

"These guys are intense. And they bring that same fire to their narration in the audiobook. Listen to these insanely competent SEAL officers tell you exactly how to make a team successful through their firsthand experiences in business and combat." (The Hustle)

An updated edition of the blockbuster best-selling leadership audiobook that took America and the world by storm, two U.S. Navy SEAL officers who led the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War demonstrate how to apply powerful leadership principles from the battlefield to business and life.

Combat, the most intense and dynamic environment imaginable, teaches the toughest leadership lessons, with absolutely everything at stake. Jocko Willink and Leif Babin learned this reality first-hand on the most violent and dangerous battlefield in Iraq. As leaders of SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser, their mission was one many thought impossible: help U.S. forces secure Ramadi, a violent, insurgent-held city deemed “all but lost.” In gripping, firsthand accounts of heroism, tragic loss, and hard-won victories, they learned that leadership - at every level - is the most important factor in whether a team succeeds or fails. Willink and Babin returned home from deployment and instituted SEAL leadership training to pass on their harsh lessons learned in combat to help forge the next generation of SEAL leaders. After leaving the SEAL Teams, they launched a company, Echelon Front, to teach those same leadership principles to leaders in businesses, companies, and organizations across the civilian sector. Since that time, they have trained countless leaders and worked with hundreds of companies in virtually every industry across the U.S. and internationally, teaching them how to develop their own high-performance teams and most effectively lead those teams to dominate their battlefields.

Since it’s release in October 2015, Extreme Ownership has revolutionized leadership development and set a new standard for literature on the subject. Required listening for many of the most successful organizations, it has become an integral part of the official leadership training programs for scores of business teams, military units, and first responders. Detailing the mindset and principles that enable SEAL units to accomplish the most difficult combat missions, Extreme Ownership demonstrates how to apply them to any team or organization, in any leadership environment. A compelling narrative with powerful instruction and direct application, Extreme Ownership challenges leaders everywhere to fulfill their ultimate purpose: lead and win. 

©2015 Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

I don't read SEAL Books...

As a veteran, I hold a strong resentment for the unabashed self promotion of the SEAL community. This however is one of my favorite books, period. I am glad I set my ego aside and gave it a chance. This book contains all the best points of a capable combat leader, and many points are hidden within main points as well. I recommend this book to all people, regardless of their profession.

Ridiculouis !

Here's the book in one sentence:

"Accountability is a key performance dimension of effective leaders".

There you go, I've saved you time and money.

I applaud the enthusiasm of the authors, it is entertaining to listen to their spirited narration.

But seriously, these guys have been selectively & voluntarily recruited, highly trained, supported by the best technology and weaponry in history of mankind, over resourced, all the while collecting government salary and benefits...and they tell us their success is because of their remarkable leadership? "There are no bad teams, just bad leaders", really? On what planet?

Here's a revelation from someone who has led high performance business teams successfully in highly competitive markets:

There are bad work teams, defective products, clueless c-suite execs,.obsolete technology, under resourced processes, dysfunctional comp plans, bad market strategy, and on and on. That's the real business world, believing that Extreme Ownership is all a leader needs to demonstrate to drive success is laughable.

There have been enumerable examples of military command and control systems & ultra leaders applied to corporations and politics in our world history, the results speak for themselves.

Sometimes good

The book opens with the usual disclaimer that all of the stories and conversations have been modified, personalities combined, timelines changed, and some details or other parts added to make everything fit, etc., to protect privacy and confidentiality and whatnot. What follows are hours of badly scripted dialog to sell the authors' consulting services. There are few good stories in this book and several really illustrative leadership applications that will make you think. I did take a few things away from this book, but it is mostly bland made up conversational filler. I broke away twice to listen to 2 other books before finishing this.

Wow. This one surprised me!

Narrated by the team guys themselves, the authenticity is high from the get-go.

The structure of the book is solid, alternating between battle scenes, and the practical take-away, applicable to the modern business owner/leader.

The central premise is "taking extreme ownership" – as only taking FULL 100% responsibility for your actions and business decisions: can you be an effective leader, correct what's not working, and more.

It's a good book that I consumed quickly – to me it was the audio equivalent of a page-turner. I couldn't listen to it fast enough, and will relisten to it soon:)

Get ready to get better.

After reading Jacko's book I've gotten up at 5 o'clock every day to work out which, I haven't done so I was 19. This book will change you for the better.

Repetitive, Typical, & Generic

I've read a lot of SEAL books out there, and they all tend to have the same wartime mission stories.

"Here's what we did in combat, now let us teach you how to transfer those methods over to the business world." Which is the basic premise of this book. Except there's one thing that's different. These guys were trained for extremely high stress situations that mostly involve life/death scenarios with firearms and explosives. An office/business setting is different, and the authors probably don't have much experience dealing with unruly workers who underperform in providing reports on budgets. The authors devote a majority of each chapter harping on their experiences in Iraq, and maybe a few paragraphs or pages contrasting those situations to the business world. It's about 90% wartime stories, and the rest is actually applied to business. (Sort of) The reader must realize these guys aren't exactly ideal office companions. The wartime stuff is really all they know, which was their job at the time.

The leadership principles are hardly earth-shattering. Example: A business group doesn't do well in a scenario, and it's the VP's job to take the fall if it fails. Not that hard to figure out, and certainly doesn't need a Navy SEAL to explain how his mission in Iraq that took up 10 pages in the book to contrast with it.

Overall: if you like war stories about Navy SEALs and Iraq, this book and basically any other recent SEAL written book out there has the same stuff. If you want actual business resolution suggestions, I'd advise you to look beyond books like these. Way too much emphasis on their missions rather than actual office issues.

Leadership from Soldiers on Business

Overall there is nothing really new to learn. I've read other books that offer similar principles to leadership. If you like war stories, then you'll enjoy the stories they tell about the battle field. If you are looking for new insights into business leadership you'll not find it here. Honestly it is the same ideas that have been used time and again. But it might also remind you of things you've forgotten about leadership. And it might inspire you to try some of those leadership principles again. These guys are definitely American hero's, but they not are going to change anything in the business world.

unbearable to listen too

Mesages are solid. However, the narration is atrocious and makes it very difficult to get through. Make sure to listen to a sample before purchasing.

A Must Read!

If you're committed to being a better leader, then this book is a must-read. The authors explain in detail how the hard lessons learned on the battlefield can translate and be applicable in the business world. As someone who is both an Iraq Veteran and small business owner, this book had a mediate applications. I am confident that if you give this book and honest listen and sincerely apply the lessons learned, he will reap benefits from this amazing book. To the authors, thank you for your selfless service to our beloved Republic.

v/r,
Jeno Berta

Starts Strong...then fades

I really liked this when I started. So much so that I bought another copy for my son. But then it starts to get predictable. Then it gets more predictable, and pedantic, and - frankly - tiresome. I wish it was otherwise, but that's my take.

American bull crap

not a leadership book at all. shocked guy Richie recommend this on the Joe Rogan podcast.
just a gungho navy seal talking like batman about his glory days.

More common sense than extreme ownership.

i liked some of the stories behind how they learned these key skills but overall all they really say is take ownership for all that you do.

In terms of reading, they both read in the exact same sort of tempo with which i guess must be a military way of speaking. also Leif's voice is really difficult to listen to for long periods.

Listening to any book after David Goggins was going to be a challenge because how can you compete with that? But this definitely wasn't the one i should have picked next.

Life-enriching book

I’ve read a lot of business books and rate this as one of the best.
It makes uncomfortable listening/reading as it (quite rightly) shifts the emphasis on to you for outcomes. Read reviews beforehand that complained about the “war stories”: since this is the analogical tool deployed by the authors - to great effect - I don’t really understand the complaint.
I’m now a dedicated follower of Willink’s blog and Twitter account. Also read his discipline manual. The authors have been there, seen it, done it - and still are. Sound, practical advice by seasoned, respected readers who underscore that winning and success is a matter of choice, hard work and self/discipline. My only regret is I didn’t read this sooner. Interested in self and business improvement: BUY THIS BOOK!

Extreme Boredom

Seriously? They are aces in marketing to sell this bullshit. Do not spend your time and money on this crap unless you are a trooper and want to listen to battle fairytales

Extreme Repetition + Disappointment

These guys could have huge authority based on their experience, but instead they just constantly brag - as if afraid every 60 seconds that you already forgot they are Seals - while overusing word "humble" + both authors are narrators, and when one finishes a monologue, the other one basically repeats the content in the same words, just different order. The first hour is a Seal-worthy trial: surviving the laundry list of industries they helped with their coaching and war-based credentials repetition ad nauseam. I expected an honest, focused manual of tips. Was not delivered. Couldn't finish.

Repetitive and long

Pretty much the core insight is the title. This is padded with hours of army stories which are told in the longest way possible. Often details of task unit bruiser and their experience are repeated as many as 4-5 times. Got 3/4 if the way through and gave up.

Inspired

I found this book inspirational.

Although interesting, at times, I was a little fustrated by the war stories getting in the way of showing their leadership framework.

I am hoping that they will develop on this work and we'll see more from them.

Powerful message excellently delivered. Left me wanting to know more.

I expected to get real methodology

I expected to get real insights to the SEALs decision making process and leadership guidelines. The book is not bad, but too broad with lack of help on continuous improvement.

Lots of violence but good business lessons also.

I would normally avoid violence.

For example it is 40 years since I enjoyed 2nd world war books.

The Iraq war stories are fascinating especially listening from the perspective of the people who led the missions on the ground.

There were was a huge price to pay for any mistakes.

It makes our leadership challenges seem much less important.

Strangely for that reason the lessons transferred very well.

Our leadership might not be life and death but it is very important in our lives.

It is worth learning from these guys.

Absolutely Essential Listening. Badass.

- Thought provoking, insightful, informative, clear, engaging and very well crafted.

- Answers many of the simple, yet often, hugely challenging problems leaders face and provides applicable guidance to generate change and improvement.

- I listened to this whilst training (circuit and long runs) and it helped there too! Not just the experience from the Seal Teams but the principles and the applications to business sections that rounded off each chapter perfectly.

- Offered thoughts and clear guidance on questions as i thought of them, some of them tough and exposed areas for personal development required. Perfect.

- I will now buy the book and make some personal notes as I listen again.

- I will buy the audio/book for others.

Andy Grist
42y
middle grade manager