(Picture: Extreme Ownership, book by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin)
Strategy 4 Saturday Blog (<4 minute read)
On the Road Again
If you are reading this on Saturday, I should be flying from Baltimore to Kansas City. On Friday night, I was at our son’s Tyler senior night for Navy Sprint Football at the US Naval Academy. Hard to believe, four years have passed so quickly.
On Saturday, we will be watching our daughter’s 7th-ranked TCU soccer team play in the 2nd round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Each of these respective programs have come from a history of success. Last year, TCU missed the playoffs for the first time in 7 years. It was a big hit to their ego. However, the coaches regrouped and self-reflected, what is it going to take to go to the next level. They created a plan they believe in and it has turned them into a contender in 2024.
How can you apply Extreme Ownership from this past year lessons that you can improve in 2025?
In Part 1, we explored the first four principles of Extreme Ownership: Discipline Equals Freedom, Decentralized Command, Prioritize and Execute, and Cover and Move. These are powerful tools to lead effectively in both military and business environments. Now, let’s dive into the final four principles that complete the Extreme Ownership framework from the book by Leif Babin and Jocko Willink.
#5 – Believe
This is one of my favorite principles. According to Harvard Business Review, belief in your mission is critical. If you don’t believe in your plan, your team won’t either. This belief fuels emotional commitment and determination.
Getting your team involved in the process and helping them believe in the mission is essential for success. When the team believes, they are more likely to work hard and stay committed to the goal.
#6 – Plan
Planning is key to achieving any objective. The authors of Extreme Ownership emphasize the importance of thorough planning. They meticulously analyze multiple scenarios and choose the one with the highest likelihood of success and the least risk of failure. In the military, this approach ensures that every team member comes home safely. In business, a good plan maximizes the chance of success for the entire team.
Your planning process should be intense and detailed. The more options you consider and the more thorough you are, the better your chances of success.
#7 – Check the Ego
I love this principle. Even the best military leaders have to check their egos at the door. Confidence is important, but arrogance can lead to poor decisions that put the team at risk. Leaders must be willing to put their egos aside for the greater good of the team.
My son has been going through the Academy, and it has been incredible to watch these young men, selected for their strength and discipline, embrace humility and brotherhood. Their success comes from their ability to work as a team and set aside personal pride.
# 8 – Simple
The final principle is to keep things simple. Complexity can lead to confusion and mistakes. Whether it’s a plan, communication, or a task, simplicity is key. When everyone on the team understands the goal and the steps to achieve it, you reduce the risk of failure.
In both military and business contexts, the principles of Extreme Ownership offer a clear path to success. By embracing these eight principles—Discipline, Decentralized Command, Prioritization, Cover and Move, Belief, Planning, Ego Check, and Simplicity—you can lead your organization through any challenge.
(Picture: 40 Accounting is heading to ThriveCon)
ThriveCon 2024
Carl J. Cox joined KOIN News to discuss the upcoming ThriveCon, hosted by Passages to Success on November 6, 2024. Carl will be a breakout speaker and will meet with other small to medium sized businesses to talk about best practices.
Carl highlighted how 40 Strategy & 40 Accounting can help solve your business challenges! Watch the Interview here!
Want to get started now? Let’s talk!
(Picture: $4M Strategies Logo)
Next Week’s Podcast Schedule:
$4M Strategies Podcast Topic: People: Onboarding
- Mon, 11/4 – Carl J. Cox – Extreme Ownership, Part 2
- Tues, 11/5 – Ryan Englin
- Weds, 11/6 – Jimmy Burroughes
- Thurs, 11/7 – Michaelangelo Gerardi
- Fri, 11/8 – Laura Couvillon
- Tues, 10/29 – Alex Rawlings
- Thurs, 10/31 – James Brackin IV (re-release)
