Are You a Leader?

Lessons in Leadership: The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by Admiral William H. McRaven

Admiral William H. McRaven is a retired four-star Admiral and former commander of the United States Special Operations Command, who oversaw thousands of missions during the global war on terror.
McRaven's latest book, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog, is a leadership book that draws inspiration from military mottos, creeds, parables, and stories to guide leaders and followers alike.
The book frames leadership as difficult but not complicated, and argues that doing it right requires some guidance, which can be found in the wisdom of these military mantras.
The book is based on McRaven's personal experiences and lessons learned, gathered from his 37 years of service as a Navy SEAL officer and commander.
The book's first chapter is titled "Death Before Dishonor," which speaks to the importance of having a personal code of honor and doing the right thing, even if it involves risk or hardship.
McRaven argues that great leaders are those who are honorable, honest, trustworthy, and respect the people they work for.
He suggests that having a personal code of honor is essential to leadership, and offers examples such as the Boy Scout code, the Girl Scout code, the Hippocratic oath, and the honor code from West Point.
The honor code from West Point is "I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do," which McRaven cites as a simple but powerful example of a personal code of honor.
McRaven's book also explores other mantras, such as "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday," which speaks to the idea that every day is hard, and "Can You Stand Before the Long Green Table," which asks leaders to consider whether they can justify their actions before reasonable men and women.
The book is not just for military leaders, but for anyone who wants to be a better leader in their personal or professional life.
McRaven's previous books include Spec Ops, Make Your Bed, Sea Stories, and The Hero Code, which are all focused on leadership, personal development, and lessons learned from his experiences.
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog is a valuable addition to McRaven's body of work, offering practical insights and inspiration for leaders at all levels.Leadership Lessons: The Importance of Honor and Trust
Leadership is not just about knowing what to do, but also about having the courage to do it, even when it is difficult.
The idea of honor is essential in leadership, as it ensures that actions are guided by integrity and not by the ends justifying the means.
Organizations or individuals that lack honor often have an existential event, as seen with Enron and Lehman Brothers.
Honesty, fairness, and good character are fundamental aspects of being a leader that people can respect and follow.
Leaders need to be creative and flexible, but cheating is not the answer. Instead, it is about finding different ways to solve problems.
Trust is crucial in leadership, and it takes time to build. Leaders must be trusted by their employees, peers, and superiors to be effective.
Building relationships is vital in leadership, and it involves trust, listening, respect, influence, and care.
The lack of trust can lead to employees not following a leader's instructions, even when they do not make sense.
Leaders should take ownership of their mistakes and work to correct them, as this shows good character and builds trust.
Leaders must lead from the front, even when it puts them in harm's way, as this shows courage and earns the respect of their team.
The easy road may provide short-term gratification, but it is often strategically a losing approach.
Being an honorable leader requires constant effort and self-reflection, as it is easy to slip up and make mistakes.Lessons on Leadership: Making Tough Decisions and Commanding with Confidence
Leaders must be able to make tough decisions, even when they do not make sense or seem risky.
It is important for leaders to tell the truth and be transparent with their decisions, especially when people's lives are at risk.
Leaders must create an environment where their subordinates feel comfortable speaking up and sharing their concerns.
It is the responsibility of both leaders and subordinates to own decisions, even if they disagree with them.
When in command, commanders must command, take charge, and lead with confidence.
Admiral Nimitz's decision-making during the Battle of Midway serves as an example of the weight and responsibility that comes with command.
Leaders must make decisions that are in the best interest of those they lead, even if it means taking risks.
It is important for leaders to explain their decisions, especially when the consequences are significant.
The physical manifestation of Admiral Nimitz's desk serves as a reminder of the difficulty of command and the importance of making tough decisions.
Leaders must be decisive, even if they are wrong sometimes, as people appreciate the decisiveness of their leaders.
It is crucial for leaders to listen to their subordinates and take their input into consideration before making decisions.
Leaders must command their fears and take charge of their situation, troops, and decisions.Lessons on Leadership and Decision Making from a Navy SEAL
The importance of being decisive and not letting fear paralyze decision-making is emphasized.
The concept of "do not take counsel of your fears" is discussed, but with the caveat of not being reckless and taking calculated risks.
The idea of "who dares wins" is explored, but with the understanding that calculated risks must be taken and extensive planning and preparation is necessary.
The importance of balancing risk-taking with thorough planning and preparation is highlighted, with the example of the Bin Laden raid and the extensive planning and rehearsal involved.
A story is shared about a mission to rescue a hostage in Ramadi, and the importance of mitigating risk as much as possible while still taking action.
The story of building a frog float for a Fourth of July parade is shared, emphasizing the importance of taking pride in even the smallest tasks and doing them well.
The idea of not knowing the reasoning behind a task assigned by a superior is discussed, and the importance of trusting in their judgment and doing the best job possible is emphasized.
A story is shared about being tasked with cleaning up a polluted beach, and the importance of being a good community member and doing tasks that may seem menial but have a greater purpose.
The importance of taking pride in all tasks and doing them well is a recurring theme throughout the text.
The idea of balancing risk-taking with thorough planning and preparation is emphasized again.
The importance of listening to fears and concerns, but not letting them paralyze decision-making, is reiterated.
The idea of taking calculated risks, being decisive, and doing tasks well is presented as essential qualities for effective leadership.