Turn the Ship Around!
by L. David Marquet
Key Concepts
Leader-Leader
Shift from top-down command to empowering everyone to lead and think.
Push Authority
Decentralize decision-making to the lowest competent level in the organization.
Certify Competence
Leaders ensure team members are capable, then trust them to execute without micromanagement.
State Intent
Leaders communicate goals and desired outcomes, not specific methods for execution.
Think Out Loud
Leaders share their reasoning and thought process to build team understanding and capability.
Action Items
Communicate your intent clearly, not the exact steps to achieve it.
Delegate decision-making authority to the person closest to the information.
Actively listen and ask 'What do you intend to do?' instead of giving orders.
Invest in continuous training to build and certify team competence.
Resist the urge to solve problems for your team; guide them to find solutions.
Core Thesis
Empowering subordinates to make decisions transforms organizations from leader-follower to leader-leader, fostering ownership and excellence.
Mindset Shift
The shift is from a command-and-control hierarchy to one where every individual is empowered to think, act, and take ownership.