Team Secrets of the Navy Seals: The Elite Military Force's Leadership Principles for Business

I currently serve as the Training Supervisor for the Greensboro Fire Department in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a Marine (Active Duty 1975-1981) the title of this book caught my eye. I purchased the book and began to read. The more I read the more excited I became. This an outstanding book on leadership. It's a very well written book and is straight to the point. After purchasing one for the Chief of the Department we decided that every Chief Officer in the department needed to read it. 27 Chief Officers cannot be wrong. The only comments I have received from our officers are outstanding. They have truly enjoyed reading the book. We have outlined the chapters and use them in discussion sessions. Anyone who leads an organization should read this very practical book on leadership. I can't see how you would be disappointed.

I did not read anything in this book that I would consider a secret. But I do think this is a very good book on leadership and team-building. I have read many leadership/team-building books and all have a few nuggets that make the book a worthwhile read. This book had all of those and more. I have spent time in the military and have seen awesome levels of dedication to team. Sometimes this attitude can be transferred or built up in a civilian organization. But it takes a lot more work. The problem as I see it is that the Seals are all volunteers and they really want to be the baddest mothers on the planet. They like to be cold, wet, and tired, and actually ask for more to prove they can handle anything. While in the civilian world, that kind of dedication is almost non-existent. While there are many people that don't mind, or even like, to work hard, they all know that when the whistle blows, its Miller time and they can go to their comfortable homes. As far as the civilian world goes, you can try to build a great team, but you will never come close to the dedication of an elite military unit, not just Seals, but all branches have their elite teams. It just seems that you cannot build this culture because corporate America does not like it when you push your people past their known limits. Yes, you will make them better people, but companies are worried about lawsuits, not having the best team in the corporate world. This book, if read and followed, will make you and your team better and more productive. The book goes into many subjects, like "know what you've got", "have an open door policy", "the menace of micromanagement", "have teammates, not lackeys", and a few others. While most of this may seem to be commonsense, I felt it was good to be reminded of these and to also have the author present a topic I am familiar with in a different light. Sometimes hearing something from a new angle makes it stick better. This is an easy read and if you lead a team or want to be a better teammate, then this book is definitely worth the small cost. I recommend it and will read it again in the near future to make sure that the lessons taught here stick.

Very good book. A must for all in management positions in the military, as well Americas first responders. No real secrets, however, the lay out fo the book along with the authors twists on the topics make it very educational and easy to read. Good for all LEO supervisors.

As a management consultant, I've always been interested in anything that would help me get the message of team work across to my clients. I seen many people who attempt to lead but fail to do so. Many micro-manage, accept mediocrity, or finger point when something goes wrong. This book is a good guide on how to help - coach - someone who wants to be a great team leader. Lots of good examples and the chapter summary lessons are excellent and are great teaching and talking points of their own. I intend to give copies of this book to several of my clients as gifts.

I loved this book from front to back and in between. I am a highly motivated individual and already knew the majority of what the book had to say, but I learned more from it. My step-father taught Me everything having to do with thinking like a Navy SEAL. No, he wasn't a SEAL...he was a Marine during Vietnam, and the SEAL's tried to recruit him, but he turned them down. I am currently doing an online course for Business Management this year, and next year will be doing a Criminal Justice degree, then on to Police Academy. I am a man, who believes a gun is not your first choice as a weapon as a Police Officer, it should be your last...under certain circumstances the first, but not very many. My first three weapons, as a Police Officer will be, My brain, My mouth, and My intimidating appearance/persona. Then, I will go to the baton or pistol as necessary, or the situation dictates.