Jocko Quotes

Jocko likes salty, Jocko likes sweet, but never bring Jocko any hot sauce, like with jalapenos, because it makes Jocko squirt funny-smelling stuff out his ears. ~ Dean Koontz

The only meaningful measure for a leader is whether the team succeeds or fails. For all the definitions, descriptions, and characterizations of leaders, there are only two that matter: effective and ineffective. Effective leaders lead successful teams that accomplish their mission and win. Ineffective leaders do not. ~ Jocko Willink

If you are more concerned for yourself than the people that work for you, you will ultimately lose. But if you put the team first, and make your true goal - not your own success - but the success of your team and their mission… If you, as a leader, put others above yourself… If you care for your team first and foremost… then you will absolutely win. That's what leadership is; the pure goal and righteous intent of putting your people and the mission ahead of yourself. ~ Jocko Willink

I learned that good leaders don't make excuses. Instead, they figure out a way to get it done and win. ~ Jocko Willink

The world isn't filled with great people who are thrilled to work for you. You've got to find them and nurture their talent so they stay. It's easy to fire someone but do you have a suitable replacement? Someone who can do two-thirds of the work is better than no one doing any of the work. - Jocko Willink, retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, ~ Jocko Willink

As a leader, you have to balance the dichotomy, to be resolute where it matters but never inflexible and uncompromising on matters of little importance to the overall good of the team and the strategic mission. ~ Jocko Willink

When a leader takes too much ownership, there is no ownership left for the team or subordinate leaders to take. So the team loses initiative, they lose momentum, they won't make any decision, they just sit around and wait to be told what to do. ~ Jocko Willink