Extreme Ownership (Book Notes)

Extreme Ownership is the most useful leadership book I’ve ever read. Using these principles, I’ve become a better parent, husband, and professional. Empowering. Applicable. Tactical. Legit.

• Chapter 1: “Extreme Ownership” is a leadership philosophy in which I assume complete personal responsibility for my team, creating an empowering culture of connection & continuous improvement.
• Chapter 2: If I tolerate or justify subpar performance, or blame anything or anyone other than myself, I am not taking “Extreme Ownership.”
• Chapter 3: When I understand and communicate the strategic “why” behind the mission, it creates “connective tissue” that aligns the team toward winning.
• Chapter 4: When I check my ego and take ownership, others can see the real issue without becoming defensive.
• Chapter 5: I must take ownership for identifying and facilitating the coordination of all available resources to accomplish our common goal.
• Chapter 6: By maintaining simplicity and confirming my communication is understood, I help everyone stay focused on the mission when things get hectic.
• Chapter 7: I can use the principle of “Prioritize and execute” in real time to make my team’s actions more effective by using these 3 steps:
  1. Relax
  2. Look around
  3. Make a call
• Chapter 8: A decentralized leadership structure, with a max 4-6 direct reports, allows every leader to specialize, stay focused & maintain effectiveness.
• Chapter 9: Strategic planning should be systematized to empower everyone on the team with ownership of constant improvement.
• Chapter 10: I need to take ownership for leading everyone in my world, including up the chain (superiors), and down the chain (subordinates).
• Chapter 11: Disciplined standard procedures create freedom to engage creatively and bring my gifts to any situation.

For other book notes in the same 1 sentence per chapter style, click here.