One of my all-time favorite reads on business agility and leadership is “Turn the Ship Around!” by L. David Marquet.

This book brilliantly chronicles the true story of how Marquet, a former nuclear submarine commander, transformed the USS Santa Fe from one of the worst-performing submarines in the fleet to one of the best.

Thankfully, he wrote about how he did it. Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why captured how key this is “David Marquet is the kind of leader who comes around only once in a generation … his ideas and lessons are invaluable”.

From the moment I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down. I immediately recognized many of the effective leadership practices I’ve both adopted and experienced, and it deepened my understanding of why they are successful.

I’ve recommended the book to countless people. I’m certain this will continue.

Some of my key takeaways:

High-Stress Environment, Exceptional Performance

Operating in the high-stress environment of a nuclear-powered submarine demands nothing short of exceptional performance from every crew member. On the USS Santa Fe, traditional top-down leadership was not enough. Marquet realized that to ensure the success and safety of his submarine, leadership needed to permeate every level.

Turning Followers into Leaders

Marquet’s revolutionary approach focused on empowering his crew with the autonomy and responsibility to make decisions. By turning followers into leaders, he fostered a culture of trust, competence, and ownership. This shift not only improved morale but also enhanced operational effectiveness.

Leadership at Every Level

“Turn the Ship Around!” emphasizes that true leadership is about creating leaders, not followers. It’s a powerful reminder that in any organization, especially in high-stress environments, distributed leadership can drive remarkable results. When everyone is encouraged to lead, they contribute more effectively, bring innovative solutions to the table, and take ownership of their roles.

Why You Should Read It

If you’re looking to transform your team’s dynamics, boost morale, and achieve exceptional results, I highly recommend this book. It’s an inspiring and practical guide for anyone striving to instill a culture of leadership and agility in their organization.

This book has the power to transform leaders and their organizations profoundly if its principles are embraced. The core message, in my own words, is to invest in developing leaders and their people, prioritize excellence, and commit to continuous improvement.

It might sound straightforward, but as you dive into David Marquet’s experiences and ponder his reflective questions, you’ll understand that it’s a challenging and turbulent path. However, it is also incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, with long-term benefits that are well worth the effort.