FranklinCovey On Leadership Stanley McChrystal: Why Trust Beats Control in High-Stakes Leadership
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Dec 16, 2025 
In this enlightening discussion, General Stanley McChrystal, a retired four-star U.S. Army general and leadership author, emphasizes that trust is a powerful force multiplier. He shares insights on how excessive controls reveal distrust, crippling performance. McChrystal advocates for a 'shared consciousness' in organizations to enhance communication and decision-making. He also reflects on the military’s commitment to leadership development versus corporate short-term focuses, and emphasizes the importance of trust in today’s complex environments.
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Pride In Seeing Leaders You've Trained Rise
- McChrystal finds the most pride in watching former subordinates rise into senior leadership roles.
- He values leader development as the core mission of the military and a source of personal satisfaction.
Night Raids: Training Over Romance
- Night raids felt romantic but were grounded in elite training and reliable teams rather than individual heroics.
- Often missions produced absurd moments, like elite forces waist-deep in mud, prompting laughter and perspective.
Shared Consciousness Unlocks Faster Decisions
- Shared consciousness scales small-team intimacy into large organizations by increasing communication and contextual understanding.
- When people share context they decide faster, take ownership, and need less top-down control.