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

experienced and highly respected noncommissioned officer of the SEAL
instructor cadre, took a keen interest in Boat Crew VI and their
lackluster leader.
“You had better take charge and square your boat away, Sir,” said
Senior Chief to the Boat Crew VI leader. Senior Chief was a goliath of a
man, with piercing eyes that instilled fear equally into terrorists on the
battlefield and students in training. An exceptional and revered leader
himself, he had mentored many young junior officers. Now, Senior Chief
offered an interesting solution to Boat Crew VI’s atrocious performance.
“Let’s swap out the boat crew leaders from the best and the worst
crews and see what happens,” said Senior Chief. All other controls would
remain the same—heavy and awkward boats, manned by the same
exhausted crews, cold water, gritty and chafing sand, wearied men
competing in challenging races. Only a single individual, the leader,
would change.
Could it possibly make any difference? I wondered.
The plan was quickly relayed to the other SEAL instructors. “Boat
crew leaders from Boat Crews Two and Six report,” blared the SEAL
instructor through the megaphone. The two boat crew leaders ran over
and stood at attention. “You two will swap positions and take charge of
the other’s boat crew. Boat Crew Six leader, you’re now the leader of
Boat Crew Two. Boat Crew Two Leader, you’re now the leader of Boat
Crew Six. Got it?” said the SEAL instructor.
The boat crew leader from Boat Crew II was clearly not happy. I’m
sure he hated to leave the team he had built and knew well. No doubt he
was proud of their dominant performance. The new assignment to take
charge of a poorly performing boat crew would be difficult and could
potentially invite unwanted attention from the SEAL instructors. Still, he