Jim Stavridis - A Leader for the Ages

And, A Leader in Our Time

"Certainly the majority of what I learned was about myself — especially my own failures, challenges, and responses. I found the limits of my ability, but in doing so liberated myself from fear of failure. I also learned a great deal about what it takes to lead a ship successfully, which includes above all the ability to encourage and trust your crew. People, in my experience, will almost always become what you convince them they are — so if you are encouraging and positive in your approach, they tend to respond in overwhelmingly positive ways. I also found a great deal of value in spending time walking the ship and engaging in dozens of small but important conversations each day with as many crew members as possible. Finally, I found a real enjoyment in trying to teach the younger officers in the wardroom what I had learned along the way about shiphanding, tactics, and leadership. Fundamentally, a Captain is a servant and a teacher to the crew; what I learned was how to balance those two things."

Admiral James Stavridis in an interview with Jim Dolbow on USNI Blog about his book DESTROYER CAPTAIN

NOTE: I am pleased to say that I served with him when he was the Senior Military Assistant to the Hon. Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense and that he considers me a friend.