Lead. Win. - An Extreme Ownership Podcast
Echelon Front, LLC
Lead. Win. - An Extreme Ownership Podcast Hosted by Leif Babin and Jamie CochranIn a world where leadership is tested daily, Lead. Win. brings you the hard-earned lessons, battle-tested principles, and real-world strategies you need to excel. Join Leif Babin, co-author of Extreme Ownership and decorated combat leader, and Jamie Cochran, a renowned leadership instructor, as they break down the core tenets of Extreme Ownership and apply them to the challenges of business, family, and life.Each episode dives into practical examples and case studies, featuring conversations with leaders from all walks of life. Whether you're a CEO, coach, teacher, or simply striving to lead better, this podcast equips you to take ownership, lead with courage, and—ultimately—win.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 14, 2025 • 28min
The Priority Test Every Leader Needs
Join Us In Orlando This December: https://qrco.de/bffhTXAre you confusing being busy with actually making an impact?In this episode of the Echelon Front Lead.Win. Podcast, we break down how to stop “fighting fires” all day and start prioritizing and executing on what really drives your long-term mission at work and at home.You’ll learn how to:Stop confusing activity for impactShift from tactical busyness to strategic goalsUse detachment to see what really mattersApply decentralized command so your team solves problems without youProtect time for what matters most: family, relationships, and healthUse tools like time audits, time blocking, No-Meeting Fridays, and Now/Next/Later listsThis conversation ties directly into the principles from Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership and shows you how to apply them in your business, your team, and your home.👉 Watch, learn, and then run the Immediate Action Drill:Write your top 3 long-term goalsSet your top 3 priorities for the weekSet your top 3 tasks for todayMake sure they all alignWhen you prioritize and execute on what truly matters, you create more impact, more freedom, and more capacity to lead and win.📚 Books On Amazon: Purchase books by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin on Amazon.https://echelonfront.com/links/➕ Follow Us On Social:https://www.instagram.com/echelonfronthttps://twitter.com/EchelonFronthttps://www.facebook.com/echelonfront/https://www.linkedin.com/company/echelon-front-llc/Free Weekly Leadership Newsletter: https://engage.echelonfront.com/Rundown
Nov 7, 2025 • 27min
How to Be A GREAT LEADER...Without Being Charismatic
Join Us In Orlando This December: https://qrco.de/bffhTXExamining what it takes to exhibit true leadership skills, this episode draws from military principles to highlight key attributes. Learn how to be a good leader by focusing on continuous leadership development and absorbing leadership lessons. Jocko Willink often speaks about how these concepts can be applied in any situation, and leadership training is crucial for success.
Oct 31, 2025 • 26min
The Leadership Trap: How Smart Companies Lose Everything
Join Us In Orlando This December: https://qrco.de/bffhTXIn this episode of Lead. Win. , Echelon Front instructors Leif Babin, Jamie Cochran, and Sean Glass break down one of the most important leadership skills in any environment — iterative decision-making.From the battlefields of Ramadi to the boardrooms of billion-dollar companies, they explain how leaders can avoid analysis paralysis, balance default aggressive with detachment, and make smaller, smarter moves that drive progress without reckless overcommitment.Discover how the principle of “Flank or Be Flanked” applies to your business strategy, how to balance risk vs. speed, and why perfection is a lie that kills momentum. Whether you're leading a team, launching a new project, or just trying to move forward in life, this episode gives you the tools to take small steps with big impact.
Oct 24, 2025 • 25min
3 Rules No One Wants to Follow: The Ego Paradox
Join Us In Orlando This December: https://qrco.de/bffhTXWhen the truth hurts, the answer is more truth. In this episode we break down brutally honest self-assessment, why ego blocks feedback, and how leaders can seek truth over comfort to actually improve. You’ll hear field stories (SEAL debriefs, leadership training), practical tactics for getting real feedback when your boss or peers aren’t giving it, how to self-audit without excuses, and an Immediate Action Drill you can do this week: identify one uncomfortable truth, say it out loud, and build an action plan. Humility isn’t weakness—it’s the fastest path to growth, at work and at home.
Oct 17, 2025 • 27min
Want More Praise At Work? Do This.
Join Us In Orlando This December: https://qrco.de/bffhTXHow do you get people truly on board with Extreme Ownership? You praise the behaviors you want repeated—specifically, visibly, and in balance with KPIs. In this episode, we break down why “false cheerleading” backfires, how to define and show what “good” looks like, and how a relentless debrief culture raises standards fast. We share SEAL Team lessons on recognizing decisive action, Cover & Move across departments, keeping plans Simple, Prioritize & Execute under pressure, and enabling Decentralized Command at the front line. You’ll also hear practical ways to align promotions and performance reviews to your real values—so you’re not paying lip service while rewarding the opposite.► Try this week’s Immediate Action Drill: catch someone doing it right—ownership, teamwork, clarity—and praise it publicly and specifically.If this helped, like, subscribe, and share. Drop your leadership challenges in the comments so we can target the next episode. Explore free resources at EchelonFront.com and go deeper inside Extreme Ownership Academy.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 Hook: “How do we get people to take ownership?”00:21 Topic: Praise the behavior you want to see00:55 Values on the wall vs. numbers in meetings01:39 Avoid “false cheerleading”; make praise scarce & meaningful03:45 Show what “good” looks like (SEAL mission brief example)06:41 Define success beyond tactics—behavioral standards08:24 Balancing KPIs with values (parenting & team examples)11:00 Debrief culture: nightly, short, brutal, and positive13:10 Normalize debriefs—don’t wait for failure14:26 Jocko’s debrief model: candid + earned recognition16:44 Leaders’ words: praise frontline publicly, fix privately17:34 Recognition systems: stickers, patches, peer kudos20:38 EF peer-nominated awards (aligning praise to principles)22:01 Promotions & reviews tied to values (not lip service)24:00 Not participation trophies—praise specific behaviors26:16 Immediate Action Drill & how to build ownership culture27:15 Outro + resources & Academy📚 Books On Amazon: Purchase books by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin on Amazon.https://echelonfront.com/links/➕ Follow Us On Social:https://www.instagram.com/echelonfronthttps://twitter.com/EchelonFronthttps://www.facebook.com/echelonfront/https://www.linkedin.com/company/echelon-front-llc/Free Weekly Leadership Newsletter: https://engage.echelonfront.com/Rundown
Oct 10, 2025 • 27min
The 6 Levels of Great Leadership (The Alignment Ladder)
Free Weekly Leadership Newsletter: https://engage.echelonfront.com/RundownStruggling with competing priorities, turf wars, and miscommunication? In this episode we break down the Ladder of Alignment—a practical leadership tool to move teams from tactical arguments to strategic unity. We cover how to set a clear mission, vision, and values, simplify the mission so it drives ground-level decisions, and check ego with humility so the best plan wins. You’ll learn how to spot misalignment, use decentralized command, and run an Immediate Action Drill to realign departments around outcomes and KPIs that actually support the overall objective. Includes a memorable “dishwasher debate” example and a field story showing how a simple mission statement improves real-time choices. If you lead people—executives, middle managers, or frontline leaders—this is your playbook to align, execute, and win.
Oct 3, 2025 • 25min
7 Traits of Truly Confident Leaders
In this discussion, Sean Glass, an instructor from Echelon Front, shares his insights on cultivating confident leaders. He emphasizes the importance of decentralized command and explaining the 'Why' behind decisions to empower teams. Practical coaching strategies, like asking earnest questions and promoting strategic detachment, are highlighted. Sean also draws parallels between leadership in business and parenting, suggesting age-appropriate tasks and safe mistakes to boost confidence. This engaging exchange offers actionable tips for fostering a culture of leadership.
10 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 20min
Stop Waiting For Permission to Lead. Do This Instead.
Leadership is for everyone, not just those with titles. Discover how true influence can uplift teams and transform dynamics, even in high-pressure environments like SEAL training. The concept of 'No Bad Teams, Only Bad Leaders' highlights the crucial role of effective leadership at all levels. Learn to lead amongst peers, upwards, and across the board while empowering those around you. Embrace humility and recognize that leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed by anyone willing to take initiative.
11 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 28min
A No BS Guide to Thinking Strategically In Every Situation
Discover the art of strategic thinking over tactical distractions. Learn how prioritizing long-term goals can enhance personal and professional relationships. Hear real stories illustrating the power of empathy in business. Explore how reflection and focused time can lead to better decision-making. Get tips on aligning daily actions with strategic objectives, and understand the importance of patience in leadership. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate their leadership skills and achieve success!
Aug 15, 2025 • 26min
The Leadership Mindset That Gets You Through Anything
Leadership truly shines in tough times. Discover how shifting your focus from personal struggles to supporting others creates resilience. Hear inspiring stories of individuals who overcame adversity by uplifting those around them. Learn practical ways to embrace servant leadership and the power of small gestures in strengthening team dynamics. Whether it’s through marathon training or reflecting on challenges during the pandemic, these insights will help you navigate difficulties and foster stronger relationships.


