341: Simple Rules To Become A Better Person and Leader.

Clear Briefing

Effective briefing is crucial for clear communication within a team. Jocko Willink emphasizes the importance of simplifying presentations to ensure everyone understands the mission. He advises briefing to the lowest common denominator and avoiding unnecessary details like animations in slides 1. This approach not only saves time but also enhances comprehension among team members.

Brief to your lowest common denominator. Brief to your machine gunners.

--- Jocko Willink

Jocko also highlights the pitfalls of over-inspecting and over-supervising, which can stem from ego-driven desires to find faults. Instead, he suggests focusing on whether the team understands the mission and execution 2.

   

Speaking Skills

Improving speaking skills is essential for effective leadership. Col. Glover Johns notes that while some individuals are naturally good speakers, anyone can improve through practice and role-playing 3. He emphasizes the importance of sounding good when speaking and the power of clear communication.

You could get good at speaking by just practicing and role playing, rehearsing and listening to yourself.

--- Col. Glover Johns

Jocko Willink adds that writing and speaking well are essential tools of leadership. He advises reading written work aloud to identify areas for improvement and practicing speaking to build confidence 4.