Extreme Ownership, a concept popularized by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin in Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, is more than just a leadership philosophy—it’s a mindset for life. It’s about taking full responsibility for everything in your sphere of influence, leading yourself with discipline, and empowering others to achieve shared goals.
Practicing Extreme Ownership starts with intentional daily actions. Here’s how you can begin integrating this powerful principle into your life today:
1. Stop Blaming, Start Owning
One of the most fundamental aspects of Extreme Ownership is refusing to point fingers or make excuses. As Jocko says: “It’s not what you preach, it’s what you tolerate.” This means acknowledging your role in any situation, whether the outcome is good or bad, and taking responsibility for improving it.
How to Start:
- Identify a Challenge: Reflect on an area of your life where things aren’t going as planned—at work, in relationships, or with personal goals.
- Ask the Tough Question: Instead of blaming external factors, ask: What could I have done differently? or What can I do now to change this situation?
- Own Your Role: Take responsibility for your actions (or inactions) that contributed to the outcome, and commit to making changes.
Example Action:
If a project at work didn’t meet its deadline, instead of blaming team members or external obstacles, own your part. Maybe you could have communicated expectations more clearly or followed up sooner. Acknowledge it, fix it, and move forward.
2. Lead Yourself First
Self-discipline is the foundation of Extreme Ownership. Jocko teaches that “Discipline equals freedom.” By developing discipline in your own life, you create the freedom to pursue your goals effectively and inspire others through your actions.
How to Start:
- Identify One Area: Choose one aspect of your life where you can improve discipline today. It could be waking up earlier, exercising, managing time better, or sticking to a healthy diet.
- Commit to Small Wins: Focus on small, consistent actions that build momentum. Discipline isn’t about making grand changes overnight—it’s about showing up every day.
- Hold Yourself Accountable: Treat commitments to yourself with the same seriousness as commitments to others.
Example Action:
If you’ve been hitting snooze on your alarm, commit to getting up at your first wake-up call tomorrow. Use the extra time to plan your day, exercise, or tackle a priority task.
3. Empower Others
Leadership isn’t about exerting control—it’s about enabling your team to succeed. As Jocko emphasizes: “Leadership is not about you. It’s about the team.” A key part of practicing Extreme Ownership is recognizing that the success of those around you reflects your ability to lead effectively.
How to Start:
- Provide Clarity: Ensure that the people you lead—whether colleagues, family, or friends—understand their roles, goals, and the resources available to them.
- Delegate Responsibility: Trust others to take ownership of their tasks while supporting them with guidance and accountability.
- Celebrate Wins and Learn Together: Recognize their successes and address failures as opportunities for collective growth.
Example Action:
If a team member is struggling with a task, instead of stepping in to fix it yourself, offer constructive feedback and support. Empower them to solve the issue while learning and growing from the experience.
Putting It All Together: A Daily Practice
- Morning Reflection
Start your day by asking: Where can I take responsibility today? What’s one area I need to lead myself better? How can I empower those around me? Write down a simple plan of action. - Midday Check-In
Pause during the day to evaluate: Am I staying disciplined? Am I taking ownership of the challenges I’m facing? - Evening Review
At the end of the day, reflect on your progress: What did I own today? Where can I improve tomorrow? Use this reflection to refine your approach for the next day.
Why Extreme Ownership Matters
Practicing Extreme Ownership isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about transforming your mindset and becoming a better version of yourself. By taking responsibility, leading with discipline, and empowering others, you create a ripple effect that fosters trust, accountability, and success in all areas of life.
Start today. Own everything in your sphere, lead yourself with discipline, and uplift those around you. Small, consistent actions will not only make you a stronger leader but will also inspire others to embrace the principles of Extreme Ownership in their own lives.
