In a compelling chat, Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL and accomplished author, shares insights from his military experiences and leadership principles. He reminisces about his formative years and the warrior mentality that shaped him. The discussion dives into the importance of literacy for personal empowerment, the ethics of warfare, and the dynamics of teamwork. Jocko also highlights the challenges of balancing military life with education, and the joy found in childhood competitions that laid the groundwork for his resilience and leadership skills.
Literacy, communication, and leadership are crucial in the military.
Reading enables learning from past experiences and expanding knowledge.
Writing and communication skills are powerful tools for recognition and mission success.
Intense reading allows for a deeper understanding and enhances decision-making.
Selective reading and curating top book lists can ensure valuable reading experiences.
Deep dives
Jocko Willink's Military Experience and Leadership
Jocko Willink, a retired naval officer and bestselling author, discusses his experience in the military and the navy seals. He highlights the importance of discipline, communication, and leadership in the military. Willink emphasizes the significance of writing and reading in the military, as it enables effective communication, allows for recognition and promotion of soldiers, and facilitates the understanding and execution of missions. He also underlines the value of reading books for gaining insights, learning from past experiences, and expanding one's knowledge and understanding of human nature. Willink's own podcast highlights the dark and harsh aspects of war, aiming to reveal the truth about human nature and fostering resilience. He emphasizes that literacy and the ability to communicate effectively are crucial skills for success in the military and other areas of life.
The Power of Literacy in the Military and Life
Jocko Willink highlights the importance of literacy, particularly in the military context. He explains how writing and reading are essential for effective communication within the military, including writing awards, evaluations, and concept of operations documents. Willink emphasizes that being able to express oneself clearly and persuasively is crucial for recognition, promotion, and mission success. He also discusses the value of reading books, as they provide lessons, insights, and knowledge that can be applied to military strategies and combat scenarios. Willink believes that literature allows individuals to learn from the experiences of others, broadening their understanding and enhancing their decision-making skills. He emphasizes the necessity of intense and focused reading, which enables a deep immersion in the text and facilitates the absorption of knowledge, experiences, and different perspectives.
The Relationship between Literacy and Power
Jocko Willink highlights the close relationship between literacy and power. Writing and communication skills enable individuals to express their ideas, persuade others, and effectively convey important information. Willink discusses how being able to articulate thoughts and arguments through writing facilitates recognition, promotions, and the successful execution of missions in the military. He underlines the power of books and reading as sources of knowledge, insights, and lessons. By reading, individuals can learn from the experiences of others, gaining wisdom and understanding that would otherwise take years to acquire. Willink emphasizes the transformative power of literacy, enabling individuals to develop their skills, expand their horizons, and become more persuasive and influential in their personal and professional lives.
The Benefits of Intense Reading and Learning from Others
Jocko Willink highlights the benefits of intense reading and learning from the experiences and knowledge of others. He shares how reading books enables individuals to gain insights, understand human nature, and learn valuable lessons. Willink discusses how reading intensively can provide a deeper understanding of various topics and allows individuals to apply this knowledge to their own lives, decision-making, and leadership roles. By immersing oneself in different perspectives and narratives, readers can broaden their thinking, enhance their communication skills, and become more resilient and influential. Willink emphasizes that reading is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, as it allows individuals to acquire extensive knowledge in a shorter period and draw on the wisdom of others.
Importance of Selective Reading
Being selective in reading is crucial as not all books provide value and may not be worth the time and money. Reviews and historical context can help determine which books to read.
Identifying Top Books in Different Domains
An idea put forward is to curate a list of top ten books in various domains of learning by consulting experts. This can help readers make informed choices and ensure valuable and impactful reading experiences.
Learning from Shakespeare's Writings
Shakespeare's works have profound impact due to the depth and meaning of his words. Interpreting Shakespeare's language and unraveling the layers of meaning create an appreciation for the richness of word choice and communication.
The Importance of Understanding Words
Words are like ancient artifacts, evolving over time and carrying echoes of their past. Discovering the connotations, root words, and historical context of words enhances understanding and improves communication skills.
Creating a Clothing Line with Purpose
The podcast episode explores the backstory of how the host started a clothing line with a mission. While interacting with people on his podcast, he noticed a lack of ethically-made uniforms for Brazilian jujitsu and decided to fill that void. He discovered a company in Maine making jujitsu gis using American-made materials and looms. Impressed by their commitment, he reached out to them and eventually formed a partnership. Inspired by this experience, he expanded the clothing line to include jeans, boots, and supplements.
Writing Children's Books
The host shares his journey of writing children's books and the satisfaction he derives from helping young readers. Not finding books that embodied the values he wanted his own children to read, he wrote his own series called 'Way the Warrior Kid.' The books follow a young boy facing common challenges such as bullying, lack of confidence, and self-discipline. The protagonist seeks guidance from his uncle, who teaches him the importance of commitment and hard work. The books received positive feedback from both children and parents, with letters from young readers expressing pride in their achievements and gratitude for the author's influence.
I had the pleasure of inviting Jocko Willink on to my podcast for the first time, I’ve been on Jocko’s podcast several times in the past and now get the opportunity to reverse the interviewing role to learn more about his life and endeavors. We discuss his experience in the military and war exploring time in the Navy Seals, Afganistan, and Iraq. Jocko recount what it looks like to be on the ground in combat scenarios and the requirement of strong leadership in the Seal teams. I ask him about his formative years growing up with a warrior personality. We cover other engaging points of interest in his kid books, time as an English major, restarting a clothing line in a dying factory town, and much more.
Jocko Willink is an American author, podcaster, and retired naval officer who served in the Navy SEALs. His books include New Tork Times bestseller Extreme Ownership, Discipline Equals Freedom a field manual, and his children’s book The Way of the Warrior Kid. Jocko also has one of the most successful podcasts out there so check out the Jocko Podcast.
