Customer Reviews

Semper Fi: Business Leadership the Marine Corps Way

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dr.Jim Tunney, the retired dean of NFL referees and one of the nation's best motivational speakers may have described the theme of Semper Fi the best when he said, "Winner's don't have a good attitude because they win, they win because they have a good attitude."

The blunt, intimidating, humiliating style of motivation and human development often associated with the Marine Corps is quickly dispelled in this book. Instead, it is shown that after twelve weeks of combat readiness basic training, the Marine style of developing people is psychologically sound and can be used in the business world. It is a must read.

Research in workplace motivation has been neglected since 1927 when the "halo effect" style of managing was proven to be the most efficient. The Marine Corps understands that "unit cohesiveness" is important and loyalty of people to an organization cannot be coerced, it must be inspired by good leadership. The authors make it clear that every recruit is made to feel special through the openness and trust conveyed by their supervisors. Such traits are missing in corporate America. The goal of Marine Corp leadership is to develop winning attitudes in people and this is done from the bottom up, not through the insulting top-down methods common in most businesses.

The book points out how high morale can be maintained by the way supervisors relate to those they must lead whether it be in battle or business. The welfare of the individual is paramount and the Marine motto of Semper Fi, which means Always Faithful, is highlighted in the book. However, the authors focus on constantly reminding readers that in business as in the Marines, loyalty, team spirit, unit cohesiveness, togetherness, openness and trust are results of psychologically sound human development, compassionate management and inspirational leadership.

Read Semper Fi if you believe the following: In 21st Century Leadership, Kenneth Chenault said, "What is clearly going to be needed in the 21st century, particularly with the diversity of the workforce, is the ability to inspire...inspirational leadership is going to become very critical." The Marines know how!

Norman Jones,Ed.D. - author of Performance Management in the 21st Century

As a former Marine officer and now a corporate cubical dweller I found this book an excellent reminder of my leadership training and experience from my years in the Marine Corps. One needs not to have served for this book to be useful. However, one does need to read the book with some caution. The authors presented a Marine Corps that seemed euphoric in nature. I loved my time in the Marines, but my experience recalls institutionalized pitfalls and humanistic weaknesses as well. "Semper Fi" offers outstanding advice, but is by no means a cure-all or a magic bullet. The principles outlined in the book will only be effective if applied with a lot of hard work. The leadership principles are simple and they were presented in a clear and practical format. The reader must understand effective leaders in the Marine Corps have been and must be vigilant in their efforts. As the authors made clear in the book, leadership by example is essential. I have utilized many of the same leadership principles from manufacturing and process improvement to project management, and the results have clearly made positive changes to the business and to the personnel impacted by these changes. I strongly recommend this book to anyone in or aspiring to a leadership position. I would even go as far to say those currently serving in the Marine Corps or military could benefit from this easy reading book. It sets a benchmark for business's to work towards and for the military to maintain and improve upon.

In this book, Dan Carrison and Rod Walsh -- who once served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps -- suggest there are valuable business lessons to be learned from it. That is, "Business Leadership the Marine Corps Way." For example, "If all employees in a company, from the CEO to the line assembler, believe that they work for the best company in the industry, that they are without peer, and that those who work for the competition do so because they are not qualified to work for the best in the business, then an applicant may be motivated to join for reasons other than money." For example, executives who "command from a forward position" get out from behind a desk and leave the office to walk the shop floor. They visit other facilities, meet with small groups of employees to brief them on company news, attend initial meetings with prospects, call on customers, attend tradeshows, and in countless other ways "fight side-by-side with the troops" there in the "trenches"...whatever and wherever those trenches may be. Carrison and Walsh then ask us to envision an organization in which the majority of its creative and intelligent people walked around all day with the thought `I must not fail' in the back of their minds. Such an organization would be formidable indeed."

It remains for each reader of Semper Fi to determine what is most relevant to her or his own organization. Whenever groups of people are assembled with a common purpose, there will always be a need for leadership. With more than 200 years of experience developing leaders "throughout the ranks", the Marine Corps remains a unique organization of enduring excellence.

As a former Marine and a Vietnam veteran who served for 7 years in the Marine Corps, this book shows how the principles and methods of doing things the Marine Corps way an excellent way how to treat people in life both in the business world and the world in general. As a teacher, I still use and follow these methods in the classroom by showing respect for the students' opinions and their respect for my opinions. This book is useful in all walks of life, not just in business; it isn't just for CEOs, but for everybody who works for other people. This book shows how to earn and keep respect.

This book was full of great suggestions for improving the culture of a company through innovative leadership, as well as fantastic leadership techniques. So much of these techniques seem foreign to today's "leaders" yet make so much sense.

The only thing I found demoralizing about this book was that it makes my company's work (as well as most modern business) seem insignificant compared to the contribution the Marines make to our country and our society. Most companies do not deal with the same life-and-death issues the Marines face.

Still, the techniques remain sound. God Bless the United States Marines!

What business wouldn't want what the Marines have -- a dedicated, focused, organization of warriors commited to achieving company wide goals? The authors explain in great detail how to use the techniques of the Marine Corps to create the same sense of dedication and mission in your own workforce.

I found the section "Attracting the Best" to be especially innovative. The authors suggest that companies follow the Marine example and use your best employees, not a headhunter, to find your new candidates. HR departments should consist of employees who have come up through the ranks and appreciate the company mission. And they recommend that corporations employee Marine like "tours of duty" to allow individuals to serve stints in many different divisions.

The only reason I didn't give the book five stars is that the authors should have explained the difference between Officers, Seargants, Drill Instructors, and NCOs. It probably makes perfect sense if you are a Marine, which I am not. It wouldn't be such a problem if the authors didn't refer to them constantly in analogies to supervisors, middle-managers, and senior managers. But don't let that stop you. Buy the book and learn how to run your company like the Marines have run theirs for over 200 years.

A great book to read if you want to learn why the USMC creates the best leaders. The authors do a good job describing why the USMC survives as a premier fighting force. However, for those who want to take that example and use it for everyday management in the corporate world the book falls short. A good attempt to show the USMC superior sense of value and leadership but short on the corporate application side. The authors don't take the transfer of Corps leadership building to corporate implementation far enough. I recommend it for those who don't understand the difference between leadership and management. It does well as a beginning for those who want to absorb proactive management from the pros. A sequel with specific actions, examples and practical methods of implementation would be great.

I retired from the Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant. During my career in the Marine Corps, I was fortunate to experience what Rod and Dan wrote about the Corps. I have been in the civilian workforce for almost 20 years now. Based on my experience and my education (an MBA) I highly recommend that Semper Fi!: Business Leadership the Marine Corps Way become mandatory reading for all supervisors at ALL levels. I also feel that college students should read this book if they are taking management courses.

When our national survival is at stake, or when we send America's sons and daughters to stare death in the face in defense of our national interests, inspired leadership is critical to success. Fortunately, the United States military continually develops people who are up to the challenge of leading others to achieve our national security objectives. Foremost in developing military leaders at all organizational levels is the United States Marine Corps.

Rarely do corporations risk the lives of their employees to accomplish their missions; however, in the highly competitive global market place, "enemies" are always looking for ways to eliminate their competition. As with achieving national security objectives, strong and effective leadership can mean the difference between success or failure in the business world.

In Semper Fi, Business Leadership the Marine Corps Way authors Dan Carrison and Rod Walsh, both Marines (no longer on active duty), brilliantly bring the leadership principles that have made Marines and won battles since 1775 to the competitive environment of corporate America. They do this by examining the methodology the Corps applies to develop its leaders and transforming the Marine's concepts to strategies that can be used to lead any organization. The authors guide you through successive levels of responsibility and leadership from recruiting to senior management.

Semper Fi is required reading for all those who desire to be a better leader. Carrison and Walsh inspire you to achieve your leadership potential as they provide you a road-map to success in the business world. After reading their book, you will have greater respect and admiration for the Marine Corps and will be better prepared to tackle the challenges of corporate life. You will refer to this book over and over again as you lead your organization to new heights of achievement and climb the ladder of corporate success.

"Semper Fi: Buisness Leadership the Marine Corps Way". Wow! What a read. I hope anyone that knows anything about the Marines or loves this great nation will pick up this book and read it as soon as you possibly can. It's that good. The way you can tell if a book is worthy of a five star review is if you literally did not want to put it down once. It will have your attention throughout. Read it today and you'll finish it tomorrow, I hope you enjoy.