David Marquet is an expert on Leadership and Innovation and bestselling author of Turn The Ship Around, a True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders.
U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Captain Marquet served in the U.S. submarine force for 28 years. After being assigned to command the nuclear powered submarine USS Santa Fe, then ranked last in retention and operational standing, he realized the traditional leadership approach of “take control, give orders,” wouldn’t work. So he literally “turned his ship around” by treating the crew as leaders, not followers, and giving control, not taking control. This approach took the Santa Fe from “worst to first,” achieving the highest retention and operational standings in the navy.
After retiring from the Navy in 2009, David speaks to those leaders who want to create empowering work environments that release the passion, initiative, and intellect of each person. His bold and highly effective framework is summarized as “give control, create leaders.”
David imagines a work place where everyone engages and contributes to their full intellectual capacity, a place where people are healthier and happier because they have more control over their work–a place where everyone is a leader.
I was very fortunate to hear him speak last year and interview him. He truly is a modest but remarkable man. I hope you enjoy his interview as much as I did.
When and where did it all begin for you?
I was born left-handed and in Berkeley, California in 1959. I guess I learned my questioning attitude there....seriously! When I attended the Naval Academy there were things that bothered me about how we treated people. Basically, there was an element of the training that I now call motivation through humiliation. We would have to memorize and repeat things like the daily menu. I saw smart kids under pressure not be able to remember a simple menu. I learned that the best cognitive performance does not happen by instilling the fear of God in people. It happens by making people feel safe.
I recognized that the leader-follower environment meant my crew would do anything I said—even if it was wrong. That could be catastrophic. I decided to try Intent-Based Leadership again. Thus I began treating my crew as leaders, not followers, and giving control, not taking control. It wasn’t long before operations took a dramatic turn. Santa Fe went from “worst to first,” achieving the highest retention and operational standings in the Navy.
What does life long learning mean to you?
Trying new things for sure. Reading and taking adult education classes are great but for me it means pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Like trying storytelling, or making a vine video -- something my engineer trained brain struggles with!
All the literature tells us to keep learning but how can we fit it all in with the pressure of professional and personal commitments?
The argument isn't to make learning an independent activity from your life; it is your life. As you fulfill your professional and personal commitments find new ways to do them. For example, if you normally write 3 page point papers at work, try making a video or a graphic novel; if you fight with your kids every night at bedtime try a different approach like being mute and posting notes, or only ask questions.
Could you share some of your strategies that we could use to keep learning?
The idea is to be true to your why but change up the "how." One of the questions I like to ask is "What is the opposite approach and could it work?" Another one is "How would ... do this?" You can put names on cards or dice like "Steve Jobs," or "Disney," and make it fun.
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Be yourself enthusiastically; don't try and be something to everyone.
What's the next challenge for us?
We genuinely need to figure out how to tap the thinking of the vast majority of humanity, that's where the answers will come from. I believe technology will be a great enabler here.
What's next for you?
To build scalable products for the Intent-Based Leadership movement; things like workbooks, activity cards, and video courses.
In addition to reading his complete story in Turn the Ship Around! I encourage everyone to sign up for David's free leadership nudges available on his website. These are filled with short weekly things you can do, and activities to try, so that you can be a better leader.
“Control without competence is chaos.”
References: For more information about David
David’s website: http://www.davidmarquet.com/
Book - Turn the Ship Around!
Workbook - Turn Your Ship Around!
http://www.amazon.com/David-Marquet/e/B008GHTFN2
Bio
Sunita is an Executive Coach, Trainer and Consultant. She is of Indian origin and was born in London before moving to Geneva in 1992. She has a Psychology background (specialising in Occupational Psychology) and a Post Graduate in the Development and Training of Adults. She also completed a Masters in Ressources Humaines, Coaching et Gestion des Carrières at the University of Geneva.
During her 25 years experience Sunita's drive has always been to help people to do their best and hence led her to create Walk The Talk.
In her free time Sunita is a Mentor for the Branson Center of Entrepreneurship and a proud member of the School in The Cloud Team.
