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Turn The Ship Around

summary ofTurn The Ship AroundBook by L. David Marquet

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You’ll learn

  • Why empowering each member leads to innovation
  • How the right leadership boosts performance
  • The secret to resilient and adaptive organizations
  • How to align goals without micromanaging

first KEY POINT

The true test of a leader lies in his ability to decide what’s best for the team

Every leader needs to understand the importance of using the right approach to achieve the desired results. Leadership is more than being in charge — it’s a role reserved for those willing to lead and learn. The three major things a leader is supposed to know are competence, control, and clarity. A leader must be competent enough to realize his role and also delegate responsibilities to other people. He must understand that he is in control and that to achieve clarity, he must create an atmosphere of trust and accountability.David Marquet’s experience aboard the USS Santa Fe shaped how he viewed leadership. With an approach that made every member accountable for their various departments, he was able to change the submarine status from the worst to the best in the fleet.As leaders, we must respect the importance of experience and adopt the will to be flexible. One of the most important characteristics of any leader is realizing when a plan is not working and the willingness to accept it when he’s wrong.We can all become great leaders in our various organizations; all we have to do is find the right approach and be willing to learn at all times.

second KEY POINT

Knowing the difference between the leader-leader approach and the leader-follower model is important to the development of an organization

The way to hierarchical achievement is to adopt a leader-leader approach. This approach puts you in charge without making the people under you feel inferior because you’ve given them the capacity to act as leaders in their respective spaces. Sometimes, your team needs you to identify the problems and tell them what to do, but the smartest choice in making a fulfilled, engaged workforce is to go for a totally extraordinary administration style: a leader-leader framework. This methodology shows that initiative isn’t an out of reach quality that a chosen few are brought into the world with. Or maybe, this methodology perceives that we are, for the most part, leaders, here and there. The distinction between this methodology and the leader-follower approach is the means by which our choices are made. As it’s typical with the leader-follower structure, all data is sent up the hierarchy of leadership, and a decision is made distinctly by the individual at the head of this chain.Interestingly, in a system of leader-leader framework, dynamic power is equally dispersed all through the levels of leadership. This permits people to follow up on recently developed data without having to take the matter up to the overall person in charge. For instance, in a situation where a pilot discovers that his submarine is off course and is in hazardously shallow water, he gets to make crucial decisions. Instead of alarming his leader, he takes decisive action and tackles this problem securely and successfully.However, it must be noted that this model isn’t entirely theoretical. As experienced by the author, the application of this model depends on how the leader executes it.During one of their underwater expenditures, the USS Santa Fe, an atomic controlled submarine with the US Naval Force, had a terrible showing. Despite passing a lot of checks, the submarine failed important ones, prompting a change in leadership. It likewise had the most exceedingly awful group consistency standard of all the other submarines in the fleet. This all changed when Marquet turned into its officer and established a leader-leader style of administration. He tried to take this sub from one of the most exceedingly awful vehicles in the fleet to truly outstanding. The submarine’s strategic viability developed from average and better-than-expected to incredible in assessments. The success of this approach prompted around 36 crew members to re-enroll, and the USS Santa Fe was granted the Arleigh Burke trophy for the most-improved boat in the armada simply because they changed authority and leadership style.

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first KEY POINT

Leadership is a major determinant in the attitude of workers and the level of productivity in any organization

second KEY POINT

Enable your workers by giving them greater duty, which will make them more accountable within the organization

third KEY POINT

Giving your team members more responsibilities ensures that they remain focused and committed to the task at hand

fourth KEY POINT

Objectives must be continually expressed in order to enforce and reinforce the values of an organization on the team

fifth KEY POINT

If managed well, expectations can be used to establish a blueprint on which productivity can be positively increased

sixth KEY POINT

The more we overburden ourselves with tasks as leaders, the higher our chances of failing woefully

seventh KEY POINT

We must choose emancipation over empowerment if we want to achieve the best results and not just settle for what’s available

eighth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

L. David Marquet is a top graduate of the US Naval Academy who commanded the nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarine USS Santa Fe from 1999 to 2001. He's been working as a leadership consultant since he retired.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Turn The Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders about?

Turn The Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders, authored by L. David Marquet, explores leadership transformation within the U.S. Navy. It emphasizes empowering individuals to take initiative and make decisions rather than simply following orders, fostering a culture of accountability and engagement.

What are the key takeaways from Turn The Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders?

Key takeaways from Turn The Ship Around include the importance of giving control to employees, encouraging leaders to embrace feedback, and promoting the idea that everyone can lead. Marquet's insights advocate for a shift from command-and-control leadership to a more collaborative and inclusive approach.

Is Turn The Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders worth reading?

Yes, Turn The Ship Around is worth reading for those interested in leadership and organizational change. Marquet’s practical insights and real-life examples provide valuable lessons applicable to any setting, making it a must-read for aspiring leaders.

How many pages is Turn The Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders and when was it published?

Turn The Ship Around spans approximately 288 pages and was published on May 1, 2013. This accessible length makes it a quick yet impactful read for those looking to enhance their leadership skills.

How can I apply the lessons from Turn The Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders in my workplace?

You can apply lessons from Turn The Ship Around by fostering a culture where employees are encouraged to take ownership and make decisions. Implementing team discussions and feedback mechanisms aligns with Marquet's principles of leadership empowerment.