Customer Reviews

No Yelling: The 9 Secrets of Marine Corps Leadership You Must Know to Win in Business

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As a former M-60 tanker myself, I found the introduction of this book on leadership strategy very interesting. The author relates how when conducting a tactical exercise in Japan with his M-60 tank platoon, a sudden snow storm and ice forced operations to temporarily shut down and the author told his platoon members to "do something productive." Shortly thereafter - in a standard feature of every new lieutenant's nightmare - the Battalion Commander came by and found that the troops had interpreted his order as to mean building snowmen in front of their tanks (pretty much the same thing happened to me with my tank platoon in Korea in winter, except we didn't get a high-level visit). As the author dryly notes, this example demonstrates the importance of clear communication in leadership. I normally stick to military history per se, but I found that this book - which has received unfair criticism from folks who want to focus on the cover design instead of what is on the pages in between - has a gripping, common sense use of military examples of leadership that are worthy of study for those who wish to understand what leadership is all about.

No Yelling consists of nine chapters, each of which discuss and provide examples of a key leadership trait, such as integrity, technical competence and taking care of your people. I remember these subjects being treated at length in ROTC classes at Notre Dame - where incidentally, the author also studied them - but they stick with you for life. Now that I am in the corporate world, like many a retired officer, I found it deplorable that so many civilian "leaders" fail to demonstrate many of these traits. This book is an attempt to clarify, the "right way" from the "wrong way" when it comes to leading people and accomplishing a mission. In each chapter, the author provides a "Marine Example" and a "Civilian Example," then draws conclusions from each - sort of a `lessons learned.' This is a simple, but effective book that provides much grist for discussion and lessons on leadership. While certainly not definitive - the US Army has a bit different take on leadership than the Marines, or the Navy or Air Force - the author does a wonderful job laying out the core traits that do go into making effective leaders and they are worthy of study. However, perhaps I am a bit jaundiced in my view of the corporate world (which ultimately is about the "icy, cold waters of statistical calculation" for profit - not leadership - as one of my professors at Notre Dame used to say), but a book like this may actually be more useful for young people just embarking upon a military or professional civilian career, rather than those already with their `feet wet.' An entertaining read.

As a former Army officer, and now a business executive, I make an effort to read as many books on leadership as possible. "No Yelling" ranks on the top of my list. When I read Adamchik's examples of leadership in action, I'm impressed with how real, and relatable they are to experiences that most business leaders face. This book is easy to read, but more importantly, easy to put to work as a practical tool in any corporate leaders arsenal.

The insights that Adamchik shares in this book are valuable for business executives and consultants. While the purpose of the Marine Corps is dramatically different from that of a business organization, the leadership principles in this book easily tranfer to business success. Adamchik's stories clearly demonstrate how to apply his leadership ideas in practice.

I have had the opportunity to "share the platform" with Wally Adamchik at an international conference. Wally is not only a fine author, but an outstanding keynote speaker.

Michael Beitler, Ph.D.
Author of "Strategic Organizational Change"

As a military veteran and business owner myself, I greatly appreciate the influence and impact that military values and principles can provide to businesses. Wally provides nuggets of information to improve one's leadership skills. The studious leader will glean lessons from the military and civilian examples that can easily apply to their own situations. There have been many leadership books written about the Corps, and many offer wisdom and insightfulness. Wally's is yet another that is also a weapon for your arsenal to grow or expand your leadership skills.

As a student of leadership and management for many years, I am impressed with Mr. Adamchik's book, "No Yelling." Wally's style is direct, applicable, and easy to understand. This book will give you more return on your invested time and money than most on the topic, and I recommend it to as a must-have/must-read.

Adamchik captures the essence of leadership from people that are actually in the trenches, as oppossed to those who may report results of studies from the halls of academia, (which has it's place, but also it's limitations.)

More than worth the read!

As a former Marine Officer I recall the most valuable lesson taught to me was to stay focused and continually think. Military leadership requires the leader to maintain a laser beam focus and concentrate on the accomplishment of the mission while a myriad of distractions surround. As a small business owner this lesson along with other's in Adamchik's book help me to be successful every day.

Adamchik's book reveals leadership lessons through easily digestible examples. The book isn't the stale roadmap that you find so often in business books. The examples and discussion are meant to get you thinking and not spoon feed you answers to all your leadership questions.

This book is a great tool to sharpen your mind and get you thinking about leadership. Each of the examples and the discussions are thought provoking and get the reader thinking about how they would react.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Adamchick combines significant leadership experience with an engaging writing style that makes this a great read as well as a must read. Too many leadership books are written by those with only academic experience, this one is not. Specific examples of leading men and women in the toughest scenarios possible, both military and private sector are discussed first hand and sequenced in a way to give the reader a wealth of leadership tools to use in the business world. Adamchicks experience in the business world, combined with his military performance make him a knowledgable expert on this topic.

The author shows how the principles of the Marine Corps can successfully be used in business. He also compares management techniques that have failed and why. Some of the things he reveals are how to make workers feel they are part of a team, complimenting them, how to take care of them, listening and hearing what is said. There are summaries at the end of each chapter to reinforce his points. This is a very positive book that should be required reading for every company executive in the country.

I have looked at a few of these books (Warfighting) on the Marine Corps. This one is very useful for all business people concerned with essential leadership. If you have been as lucky as I to work with good leaders, you will see these people in this book. If not, this a book of life lessons. He askes tough questions. "What is your training program? Your reading program? Your Commanders intent? Your rehearsal for success strategy? " In our practise where we often meet young breakthrough entrepreneurs this would be a very helpful book as new issues arise for them. The lessons are very useful at the small unit level, which are often the tough spots for start-ups. The writer has been in the Marines and business. He certainly makes a very strong case to hire ex-Marines. He also helps disprove the " Hollywood" marine story. Easy read and well laid out.

One of the best leadership books I have read, and I have read MANY. I always tell people I am a student of leadership. Since my time in the Corps (81-85), I have enjoyed the challenges and rewards of helping others to achieve their goals, feel good about themselves, and make things happen. NO YELLING hits so many familiar thoughts, it's spooky. It's a great piece of work. I have most pages dog-eared or marked-up in one fashion or another. The civilian and Marine examples are awesome.

Character, Empathy, Communication, Authenticity, Enthusiasm, Responsibility, & Love for Leadership!

Outstanding Marine!