Happy Monday!
This week’s book is
It is written by a former Navy SEAL which battled in the Iraq War, imagine that. His thoughts on leadership are unbreakable and worth to follow.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 49 seconds.
Here’s my top 10 takeaways:
1. Ownership
The need to punish someone on the team is almost always a direct reflection of the leader and the failure to lead appropriately.
If a team member is late, perhaps the leader failed to explain the importance of being on time.
If a team member fails to complete their portion of a project, perhaps the leader did not give the support required.
2. Relationships
Solid relationships up and down the chain of command are the basis of all good leadership.
The more confidence and charisma a leader has, the better he will do as a leader.
3. Devil’s Advocate
If you want optimal performance, do not just count on your own brainpower. Instead, encourage the rest of your team to think and to question you.
Do not surround yourself with yes-men. They do nothing to help you or the team.
4. Influence
The highest form of both leadership and manipulation is to get people to do what you what them to do because they want to do it.
Both leaders and manipulators capitalize on others’ egos, personal agendas, and individual strengths and weaknesses to achieve their own preferred outcome.
Manipulators are trying to get people to do things that will benefit the manipulator, while leaders are trying to get people to do things that will benefit the team and the people themselves.
5. Communication
The better a person can communicate their ideas in a simple, clear manner, the more effective a leader they will be.
Make sure everyone understands not just what you want them to do but, more important, why they need to do it.
6. Trust
The more trust that is built, the more hands-off the leader can be.
If I want my subordinates to trust me, I need to give them trust.
7. Ego
Ego is like reactive armor; the harder you push against it, the more it pushes back.
Subordinating your ego is the ultimate form of self-confidence. That level of confidence earns respect.
8. Positions
People’s primary duties should reflect what they are naturally suited to do. They will enjoy their work more and do a better job, and this will benefit them and the whole team.
Don’t fight against nature. Use it.
9. Self-Interest
The moment you put your own interests above the team and above the mission is the moment you fail as a leader.
When you think you can get away with it, when you think the team wont notice your self-serving maneuvers, you are wrong.
Your people will see it, and they will know it.
10. Excellence
As a leader, you must remember you are being watched. And in everything you do, you must set the example.
It is all on you, but not about you.
“Dont be the leader with your hands in your pockets, but dont be the leader with your hands in everything.”
— Jocko Willink
Until next week,
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