just own it

I love the book Extreme Ownership, How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin because it leaves no room for wiggling out of 100% accountability, a practice I hold near and dear as the way to solve problems and achieve goals. All the chapters share a principle and the application to business. 

But they also shared the authors’ personal examples learned from leading in war-torn cities where decisions cost lives, not profits. It was hard to read some of the examples, but I kept reading anyway. The authors caused me to investigate when I become afraid and stop asking questions. When I make mistakes and cover them up instead of exposing them. When I make decisions and don’t include critical stakeholders. When I blame others and don’t own up.

My practice has often been just to do it and ask for forgiveness instead of permission. But recently, this got me into trouble, easily avoided if I had just asked for feedback before I acted because my actions impacted other people. What was I afraid of? The truth is I might not get to do what I wanted when I wanted! Yikes, it doesn’t do me any good if I own the decision, but no one else does! It may take longer to get to yes, but it’s profoundly better.

My practice of extreme ownership now includes extreme openness to feedback and realizing what creates genuine agreement on a team, whether it’s a team of two or many. This book will open your eyes.

May you be aware of excuses that hide the truth.