When leaders who epitomize Extreme Ownership drive their teams to achieve a higher standard of performance, they must recognize that when it comes to… - Jocko Willink

Tortured Genius.” By this, he did not mean the artist or musician who suffers from mental health issues, but in the context of ownership. No matter how obvious his or her failing, or how valid the criticism, a Tortured Genius, in this sense, accepts zero responsibility for mistakes, makes excuses, and blames everyone else for their failings (and those of their team). In their mind, the rest of the world just can’t see or appreciate the genius in what they are doing. An individual with a Tortured Genius mind-set can have catastrophic impact on a team’s performance.

Where do you start? You start right HERE. When do you start? You start right NOW. You initiate action. You GO. Here is the reality: That idea isn’t going to execute itself. That book isn’t going to write itself. Those weights out in the gym — they aren’t going to move themselves. YOU HAVE TO DO IT.

There are no bad units, only bad officers.”3 This captures the essence of what Extreme Ownership is all about.