Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

Written by:
Leif Babin , Jocko Willink
Narrated by:
Leif Babin , Jocko Willink

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
1588
Narrator
238
Release Date
October 20, 2015
Duration
8 hours 26 minutes
Summary
'These guys are intense. And they bring that same fire to their narration in the audiobook. Listen to these insanely competent SEAL officers tell you exactly how to make a team successful through their firsthand experiences in business and combat.' - The Hustle

An updated edition of the blockbuster bestselling leadership audiobook that took America and the world by storm, two U.S. Navy SEAL officers who led the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War demonstrate how to apply powerful leadership principles from the battlefield to business and life.

Combat, the most intense and dynamic environment imaginable, teaches the toughest leadership lessons, with absolutely everything at stake. Jocko Willink and Leif Babin learned this reality first-hand on the most violent and dangerous battlefield in Iraq. As leaders of SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser, their mission was one many thought impossible: help U.S. forces secure Ramadi, a violent, insurgent-held city deemed “all but lost.” In gripping, firsthand accounts of heroism, tragic loss, and hard-won victories, they learned that leadership—at every level—is the most important factor in whether a team succeeds or fails.

Willink and Babin returned home from deployment and instituted SEAL leadership training to pass on their harsh lessons learned in combat to help forge the next generation of SEAL leaders. After leaving the SEAL Teams, they launched a company, Echelon Front, to teach those same leadership principles to leaders in businesses, companies, and organizations across the civilian sector. Since that time, they have trained countless leaders and worked with hundreds of companies in virtually every industry across the U.S. and internationally, teaching them how to develop their own high-performance teams and most effectively lead those teams to dominate their battlefields.

Since its release in October 2015, Extreme Ownership has revolutionized leadership development and set a new standard for literature on the subject. Required listening for many of the most successful organizations, it has become an integral part of the official leadership training programs for scores of business teams, military units, and first responders. Detailing the mindset and principles that enable SEAL units to accomplish the most difficult combat missions, Extreme Ownership demonstrates how to apply them to any team or organization, in any leadership environment. A compelling narrative with powerful instruction and direct application, Extreme Ownership challenges leaders everywhere to fulfill their ultimate purpose: lead and win.
Reviews
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Matthew F

This is a great book. Really helps define the most important aspects of leadership. Made me re-evaluate my performance as a leader and what I can do to improve my abilities to help my team succeed. The narrator is very good. Since they are the authors they know what points to emphasize which makes it easier to see the points they are making.

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Karina Hernandez

I'm a fan of Jocko's podcast and finally got around to his book. Excellent! I'm not in a position of management, but I'm still getting a lot from this. I would suggest if you enjoy this book to also listen to the podcast. Great stuff!

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Max R

Good inspirational for leaders and managers, even if a bit repetitive now and then.

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Kevin L

Outstanding

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Jenifer Gardner

Excellent for management and leadership, but I was struck by how the principles could work in a home as a mother with children. Fascinating tales of real military operations.

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Rachel Kreitz

Great book!

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juan rodriguez

man greatly appreciate the dedication and bravery these men have to towards protecting our country. great book!!!

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Ryan Ruiz

Great book. It gets better the more you get into it. Coupling real life situations with the theories helps as well.

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Warwick Goldby

This is well structured, contains simple leadership traits, is explained clearly, and bridges the military-to-corporate application very well. The mission descriptions make this a captivating read, the only part of the book that felt a little tedious (and did make me wonder if I would get through it is the introduction, which explains in detail, that this is not another SEAL tell all book. If you can get through that it is well worth reading. It did a great job in motivating me to follow the Extreme Ownership principles and recommend it to anyone who wants to be or understand what it takes to lead effectively, we can all learn something.

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Michael Laczynski

One of the best books I have ever read. Enthralling from page one all the way to the end. The business principles are unmatched. This is a must read.

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Troy Leonard

Amazing book, got to the heart of what it means to be a leader regardless of your position in life or your profession. Lead from the front is great, but this book taught how to lead from wherever you are.

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Jim Heath

Excellent lessons and having two passionate authors narrate added to the experience VERY good in all aspects

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Matt Mooney

Excellent book for anyone interested in learning about the building blocks of leadership. The way Jocko and Leif are able to boil down complex military situations into real life business situations is fantastic It also really helped that the authors narrated the book because their passion and expertise came through to the reader.

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Lisa McQuade

This is a very good book, Takes the military leadership skills and applies to general management and leadership outside of military. Use of actual examples was great.

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Jonathan Malota

Great book, regular constructive examples of how to manage people more effective. Unique and helpful suggestions for office solutions. Provides how to logically examine a scenario and respond adequately.

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Gennady Akselrud

Concise guide with practical applications in management and leadership which can be used immediately upon reading the book. This book is not for those who are in denial or not seeking to make genuine change. This book is for those who understand that Dynamic growth is an important factor influencing leadership and seeking such else will certainly find amazing results by reading this well put together book. Well done gentlemen ! Aces

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Jason D.

outstanding

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Javier S.

Great book! I feel like every company should make their employees read this book. This has definitely help me understand some of my own mistake and how to correct them.

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Andre C.

As a leader in the Corps this book was a recalibration and a reminder of the important things. Keep it simple and checking your ego are ways from Top to bottom to not get complacent. Being a former ANGLICO member some of the deployment details hit close to home but were a reminder of all the sacrifices both communities and all services have made. Thank you Gentlemen.

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Caio G.

Amazing

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Francois S.

A great leadership principle delivered with immense intensity. I enjoyed every minute of the book on my drive to and from work.

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Adan R

Basic for anyone leading a team. Once you pass over Americans salving the world from evil... you really get why they special forces are so effective. Great applications to business in general

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Jack C

Absolutely inspiring from two real men who know what it takes! Can’t recommend enough!

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Isaac V

WOW! Sending this to many of my friends and will recommend it for sure. Read multiple times.

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Johnathon Z

Truly a phenomenal book, worth a listen x10.

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Chris L

Great listen, hearing the authors emotion brings it home.

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Brandon B

Outstanding! This book is eye opening and it really keeps your attention!

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Andrew J

Good listen, very interesting and insightful. A must for anyone thinking about taking those first steps towards a leaderships role

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Richard S

Simple stated: A Great book! Applicable in so very many ways.

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Damien S

I loved this book! It has awesome stories that really tie in to each principle and are relevant for any professional context. I salute you guys!

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Andre B

Great piece of work! Really enjoyed listening to it!

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Zak O

Hands down one of the best leadership books I have read this year. Simple, Practical, Exactly what you need.

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Blake H

Classic! Great book and nothing better at getting you in a mind set for success and strong leadership!

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Peter Decker

I read business books a lot and this book brings some fresh new ideas to the space. The concept of extreme ownership is widely applicable not only to business but to life in general. Being read by Jacko really gave it an authentic military feel, and I highly enjoyed how the battlefield stories flowed into business applications. Good length as well; makes its points and moves on. Highly recommend.

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Anonymous

I can see why some might not enjoy the book with all the references to war, but it's a really well done book and audio book read. I highly recommend it.

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Charles C.

I enjoyed the comparisons to seal team training principles to every day business environments.

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Hannes P.

Simple and to the point. Great read

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Armand P.

Terriblo listenind oy 2 hours the narrator the 1 sounds like het is pushing. The other 1 just bad. They keep on telling you how good this book and and hie much you wil learn then they repeat it again and again and never tells you anyhiing

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Steve S.

I liked how their experiences on the battlefield are used to teach leadership lessons.

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Jeffrey P.

This book is filled with the very important information. The events that are recalled in this books are captivating. I will definetly apply these principles in my worklife! Recommend this book without a doubt.

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Christina

this a great book for first time leadera

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Jacob C.

great book

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Cooper S.

This book goes back and forth between telling you a war story and then how it relates to the business world. That war story/principle you just heard (was) is then taught to a business and then they relate that business story and how they helped the client with that principle. Keeps the listener engaged through the reading.

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Josh J.

Puts leadership into perspective. Great content and great delivery.

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Roxanne

This is a good book to read. The book focuses exclusively on personal responsibility, and this has never been a popular topic. While most people are busy assigning blame to other people for things that happen they (as leaders in their chosen field) take full responsibility! I hope more people read/listen to this! Refreshing perspective in a world busily placing blame and responsibility on others and not considering their own personal responsibility.

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Robert K.

if you dont support the actions of the US military for the past 2 decades but can at least temporarily suspend your opinions, it contains excellent leadership lessons that strictly business authors often don't articulate well or miss entirely. This book showed up in my recommended list for awhile and I put off buying fearing it contained too much "hoorah". But after listening, I ended up buying and listening to a second book from the same authors. I would recommend it to anyone interested in management, business development, personal development and leadership. Their viewpoints are unique in the business book world and offer a lot of substance. If you deeply personally don't support veterans and the military at all then you probably won't like this book.

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Mike M.

This is a must read for everybody, it’s probably never too early or too late to read or reread this book

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Misty A.

I was surprised the first time I read this book. it was a great read that motivated me.

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Anonymous

Loves the book.

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Leigh Rennie

I have every book except his Childrens books but this are next! This book is so clear, to the point.

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Ruckmann

I gave up after an hour and they had not gotten to anything to do with owning or managing a company. They repeatedly say that it is not another war story book, but that is all I got for the first hour.

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R?zvan S.

Great book

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Jennifer J.

Loved every minute of this book. The back and forth between war stories and application to real world really kept it interesting. 100/10 recommend.

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pross14

Great book. A person cannot help but to Improve whatever area of their life they are focusing on if they apply these methods. Very well done and good use of practical examples, both in battle and in business.

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Cory L.

A must read

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Kory R.

This book was great. It was straight to the point and the battle field analogies were awesome. The narration makes you really check your own accountability, which is exactly what the book intended to do.

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Bryant R.

This book is horrible. This is a storytelling book of partially told, glorified war stories. I can hardly believe these guys are real seals. I was hoping to learn strategic methods of team building. This is not that. It’s not even as good as a Tom Clancy fiction book. You have been warned.

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Anonymous

Outstanding! Riveting! And if you are prone to blame other things for setbacks, you will not like this book. The principles they discuss are applicable for almost any institution.

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Richard Y.

Great Book. Thank you.

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Manuel Escarrega

great book. love the format of the chapters. keeps you engaged

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Dusty M.

This book is a game changer! A great way to live life.

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Kyle B.

Good concepts to consider and apply to your workplace. Definitely worth the listen.

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Anonymous

Awesome Leadership Book!

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Mike F.

Outstanding book. Glad I got it.

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Sayed S.

Amazing book. Don't normally say I enjoy books but I enjoyed this one and even looked forward to the next day to listen to it. Very rare for someone that hates books!

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Anonymous

With all the incredible reviews I was expecting to be blown away with new revelations. I did learn some new perspectives and ways to focus on leadership, but it dragged on a bit for me. The narration gets 4 stars, only because Leif's voice is pretty gravely.

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Kathy B.

good read, enjoyed the battle field application to the office scenarios

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Christopher S.

While the message can get a little intense at times, the point is clear and the principles ring true. Great to read at or non-stop. Jocko and Leif did an amazing job.

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Sauraj P.

Motivating!

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Anonymous

Great insight into military leadership that can be applied to business. Legend has it that when Jocko left for the military, he told his dad “You’re the man of the house now”

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Saas K.

I can totally take extrem ownership and start moving each single day to the best place in life. Super great read... Salut to all Navy seals

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Anonymous

Great book. I use this principle in my life. thanks

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Noah L.

Great book

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Nicholas H.

Great book and nice to have the authors narrate it!!

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Julian R.

Some great wartime stories. Lessons are Approached from a place of humility. I am not a leader of men, but there are useful takeaways for any human that interacts with other humans.

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Barry G.

Anyone not getting this book is doing themselves a major disservice.

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Anonymous

great book! loads of useful information and lessons learned from these two outstanding warriors!

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Tausief S.

If you are at any leading position in any industry and deals with people and situations, i would highly recommend this book. key insights, precious and direct pealed up from years of exp of these guys working under high demanding situations. loved it.

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Anel Lambrechts

Ownership taken to the next level. Awesome.

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Jerry E.

A new way of looking at things. I am sure it will have an impact on any readers life.

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Anonymous

Excellent stories

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Stephen M.

The overall message of a leader having total ownership of their situation is a solid principle. However, this book offers little more than this idea, articulated over and over in slightly different, overly macho, military anecdotes. This won’t offer any practical, game changing advice other than the message in preface.

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Tiffany W.

The lessons are valuable if you can get past the War Memoir™️ portions of the book.

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