Turn The Ship Around!: A True Story Of Turning Followers Into Leaders (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Full Steam Ahead...For A One Of A Kind Voyage. Turn The Ship Around! by L. David Marquet is unique in many aspects.(I read this as a member of the 12 books group.)There are many instructive books in the business/leadership category.Reading them can be pretty rewarding, but it's usually not much fun.This book doesn't seem to fit in well with most other offerings in this class.Actually, I'm not sure there is a category where it will fit in at all.Is there a classification for a book that's equal parts; educational textbook, study guide, novel, and biography?Probably not. That would make it one of a kind.Being penned by a former US Navy Captain (who was in charge of a nuclear submarine) wouldn't seem to be too common either.Learning of his service, I had a healthy respect for the author before I had even turned a page.After flipping them all, it has only grown.I'd personally like to offer a heartfelt "Thank you for your service!" to Mr. (Captain) Marquet---both while on duty, and for writing this book.Almost from the start, readers are taken on an adventure. Who would've guessed that a peek inside the U. S. Navy would accompany the leadership lessons revealed inside?The story of preparing the submarine, crew, and new captain for action adds many twists and turns along the way.Those twists and turns are masterfully intertwined with business and leadership opportunities.Another thing that separates this from the usual "think positive" offering is the willingness of the writer to freely express that he had doubts at times.Even more surprising was his admission of "falling off the wagon"---by taking actions that were contrary to his philosophy on occasion.How rare that is, especially in this particular arena of ideas.He eventually follows the path he believes will lead to success.Then others follow his example.That leads to unprecedented individual and group accomplishments.I'd call that a win/win.The Captain certainly did know how to "Turn The Ship Around!" This book is full of simple and clear insights that work together to help anyone create a "leader/leader" culture. The author tells the story of his own experience as a captain in the US Navy and uses his experience to illustrate how to transform an organization that is used to top down command type leadership into one he describes as "Leader/Leader" in which each individual is truly empowered and proactive. I especially like the way the book is laid out into chapters will clear summaries at the end of each chapter with a review of the principle and how to put it into action.My favorite quote from the book, "Move Authority to Where the Information Is."A few of the other golden nuggets I gleaned:The true ability of leadership is only measured and known after the leader leaves the organization. It is his "clock-builder" skills and not time-keeping skills that prove the test of time. This puts a greater emphasis on moving authority down the ladder.In order for the leader/leader model to work you must have competence and clarity. Competence requires a lot of training and finding the right people. Clarity requires making sure that everyone in the organization understand the WHY and has clear communication and expectations.Read this book and you will learn and improve!
What do You think about Turn The Ship Around!: A True Story Of Turning Followers Into Leaders (2013)?
Outstanding. One of the year's best. I listened to the audiobook and then had to buy the hard copy.
—vampire
Fantastic look at leadership, systems, scaling and implementation.
—booksforever1
Another book I was forced to read for work. Ick!
—Wafflecookie320
