It’s perhaps the least likely place you’d see a leader intentionally giving control over to those on his team.
From ancient kingdoms to current despotic regimes; from the old industrial mills to many modern-day large corporations; and from athletic teams to the armed forces, leadership has typically been hierarchical and top-down. The person at the top called the shots, orders went down the chain — typically unquestioned — and people did what they were told…or else.
In certain contexts and very specific situations, this is both called for and necessary.
However, in the vast majority of situations — including the operating of a nuclear submarine — it is both debilitating to the rank and file and totally counterproductive to both the short and long-term success of the organization.
And, this is basically the premise of an absolutely amazing and outstanding book I had the honor and pleasure to read and devour.
It’s titled, Turn The Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by Retired U.S. Navy Captain, L. David Marquet. When Captain Marquet took command of the U.S.S. Santa Fe it was about as dysfunctional as a nuclear submarine can be. And that is a danger to everyone involved. What he did to “Turn The Ship Around” defied all conventional wisdom…and it worked!
How did this happen? That’s what we explore in this power-packed discussion. Enjoy!
Captain David Marquet envisions the proliferation of Intent-Based Leadership organizations not just in the armed forces but in private sector companies and organizations. He imagines a work place where everyone engages and contributes their full intellectual capacity, a place where people are healthier and happier because they have more control over their work — a place where everyone is a leader.
What insights did you receive from Captain Marquet that can help you begin that process in your…submarine? 🙂
*The accompanying workbook, Turn Your Ship Around! can be purchased here.
TECHNICAL NOTE: If you are having trouble playing the interview, please make sure Adobe Flash Player is installed in your web browser. If not, then download Flash Player. Or right-click here and select “Save Link As…” to download the audio file to your computer.
Enjoy this post? Receive an update when our next post is published by entering your best email address below and clicking Get Updates.
From my time in the military and my current big interest in leadership I have been questioning traditional leadership approaches. Looking forward to listening to this (bookmarked for later).
Doug: Thank you. I have a feeling you’ll love Captain Marquet’s wisdom and I look forward to knowing your thoughts!
“A place where people are healthier and happier because they have more control over their work — a place where everyone is a leader” = contributes our full intellectual capacity.
Alisia: Indeed! Thank you for your feedback!
“Caring deeply but not caring” is a great phrase – thankyou, very insightful phrase, – I love great “phraseology”, Bob.
Equality based: I intend to ……
authority to insights/information vs information/insights authority is excellent as well, thankyou Bob.
Peter Horrill
Ontario, Canada
289 389 4684
Peter: Thank you. I had the easy part, just listening to Captain Marquet share his wisdom after reading his magnificent book!
I’m so excited to see this post on Turn The Ship Around Bob!
My amazon wishlist in terms of books is over a mile long! Including yours! haha And this is one that’s been on my list for quite awhile as well!
Since I have a background in the military when I was a young adult, I was naturally drawn to the book and David’s work on this because I’m familiar with the hierarchical nature of the military and I’ve been excited to see a leader in the military be able to find an innovative way to change the system while still having to WORK in and with ‘the system’ that they already have in place. NO SMALL TASK!
Oddly enough, some of my favorite movies are submarine movies! Das Boot, U-571, The Hunt for Red October, Crimson Tide, etc. Now those are MOVIES and not the real thing, however, I’m fascinated by them because Bob…just the IDEA of being in the equivalent of a tin can submerged under that much water is almost terrifying to me! haha I was an Army girl! Feed on LAND! So I consider it a special mark of bravery to be willing to have an occupation on a sub.
So with that said, as I listened to the podcast, David was sharing something about how the big challenge for the leader is when you KNOW the answer, and you need to bit your tongue in order to allow your people to use their heads and find a solution! And for a Captain on a sub??? That takes a HUGE amount of faith and trust in your people to be able to turn over the reins like that. I have huge admiration for any leader that can do that!
Heck, I’m a single mother and I’ve been a widow for 10 years with two daughters! I”m on LAND and do you think for one minute that if I ‘feel’ the kids are about to be in danger, that I have an easy time allowing THEM to find solutions if I already know the answer?
What David was able to do and on a nuclear submarine … blows my mind! Great admiration.
Thanks for sharing!
Samantha: I loved everything you wrote and know you will totally enjoy Captain Marquet’s book. It’s funny; the part that you wrote at the end regarding your children; in the book he told a story about teaching his kids how to drive that I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to. 🙂 Thank you again for your comments!
Oh I’m certain I will! It’s my baby girls birthday today. Sweet 16 and that’s the next item on the teenager agenda! Drivers Ed and getting that drivers license! My oldest is now 22 and as a mother, it was sometimes difficult to to let go on the inside even though I had to force myself to go through the motions on the outside! i.e. They HAVE to learn how to drive a car or they aren’t going to learn to be very independent! haha I had to show my daughter that I had faith in her! That’s what it boiled down to. So we started out in a high school parking lot when it was empty. And moved on up from there.
So yes, I will TOTALLY be able to relate to teaching his kids how to drive! I’m curious to learn about his approach. It’s great to get other perspectives and ideas.
Thanks again Bob! (And David!)
Happy Sweet 16 to your daughter, Samantha. That’s awesome!!