The Dichotomy of Leadership Books

Last year, or was it year before, I got to read Extreme Ownership by Lief Babin and Jocko Willink. It was perfect timing too, Congressman Babin (who I saw wearing an Airborne Wings tie pin) came by our office soon after and we gave him a tour. I was able to talk to him about his son’s book, and mention that not only was I in the Rangers, but that my foster cousin, Seth Stone, was in the SEALs. Congressman Babin was stunned. Apparently Lief and Seth were roommates at Annapolis. 

 

I use the lessons from Extreme Ownership just about everyday. It’s a great book with a great message. The writing is a bit simple, but overall the lessons are invaluable, especially for business people with no military background. Extreme Ownership is a natural part of leadership in the military. 

Regardless, I recently finished Babin and Willink’s second book, the Dichotomy of Leadership. Two things were surprising to me. 

First, Seth is littered all through this book. Maybe I forgot from reading the first book just how much a part of Willink’s and Babin’s lives Seth was. Seth was a part of my Aunt Meg and Uncle Steve’s family. He had a rough childhood and I think his mom and dad just about abandoned him. Aunt Meg took him in and he was a part of their family until he left for Annapolis. I saw him many times growing up and once or twice once he became a SEAL. He was very close to my cousin Stephen. We were never very close, but he seemed like a good guy. He died in BASE jumping accident after the war. He is mentioned all throughout this book.

Secondly, it’s a bit too simple now. I remember I went to a training conference during my second year of getting my PhD. All of the conference workshops and seminars all of a sudden seemed too easy . . . Too rudimentary. I remember leaving thinking I’ll never go back. That’s the way this book seemed. All of the lessons were too rudimentary, too easy. 

Still, good to be reminded about Seth and Ownership.