Extreame Ownership
by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Presented by: Don Gleason
Note, this event will be held on zoom only. Because of the New Years Holiday Schedule, we are holding our ‘First Friday’ event on the Second Friday (2/9).
Extreme Ownership is a powerful leadership book written by two former U.S. Navy SEAL officers, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, who led one of the most highly decorated special operations units in the Iraq War. Drawing from their battlefield experiences in Ramadi and their work training business leaders through their consulting firm, Echelon Front, the authors present a leadership philosophy grounded in discipline, responsibility, and clarity.
The central idea of the book is simple but transformative: leaders must take full responsibility for everything that happens under their command. No excuses. No blame-shifting. If a mission fails or a team underperforms, the leader owns it—period. This “extreme ownership” mentality fosters trust, accountability, and high performance at every level of an organization.
The book is structured around a series of leadership principles, each illustrated with a combat story, followed by a business case study and a practical application. Some key concepts include:
Cover and Move – Teamwork and interdependence are essential. Departments or team members must support one another to achieve the overall mission.
Simple – Plans and communication must be simple and clear. Complexity leads to confusion, especially under pressure.
Prioritize and Execute – Leaders must stay calm, assess situations quickly, and address problems in order of importance.
Decentralized Command – Everyone on the team must understand the mission and be empowered to make decisions within their scope.
Willink and Babin emphasize that leadership is not about titles or authority—it’s about humility, discipline, and ownership. Good leaders check their egos, build trust, and accept that mistakes are part of growth. They must also lead themselves first, maintaining physical and mental discipline to be an example for others.
What sets Extreme Ownership apart is its authenticity and intensity. The combat stories are raw and gripping, but the leadership lessons are universally applicable—whether you’re leading a company, a team, or your own personal development.
This book is especially valuable for anyone in a leadership position or aspiring to grow into one. It’s also a wake-up call for those who want to stop making excuses and start taking responsibility for their success.
Bottom line: Extreme Ownership is a field manual for leadership in high-stakes environments—on the battlefield, in business, and in life. It’s not just about leading others—it’s about leading yourself.
WHEN:
Friday, January 9, 2026
Presentation: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM (US Central Time)
WHERE (either):
VIA ZOOM
**You must register to receive the Zoom Link**
You do not need to have read the book to attend the event.
If you would like to invite other colleagues to join this conference, please forward this email or send them to the website at www.ExecutiveBookReview.com to register and find out more about this or future events.