Book SummaryThe Way of the SEAL, by Mark Divine

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Way of the SEAL

In The Way of the SEAL, retired Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine outlines key strategies adapted from his military experience to help business leaders meet and master the challenges of today’s complex, rapidly evolving world of work. The explosion of technology and the ability to exchange information instantly and globally has forever altered the landscape. To successfully navigate change, Divine says leaders must be balanced in mind and body, aligned with their core values, and adopt a forward-driving, flexible, mindset—or perish.

Divine blends strategies from his 20-year Navy SEAL career with yoga and martial arts to...

The Way of the SEAL Summary Part 1: Understand the Challenges of the Modern Work World

Divine says that business leaders must adopt a SEAL mindset to navigate the challenges of the modern work world, which resembles SEALs’ “VUCA” battlefield. VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity—characteristics that define today’s business landscape.

Divine says that leaders should handle each element of VUCA the same way SEALs do:

• Navigate volatility with a powerful vision and focus on your mission.
• Surpass uncertainty through attunement to...

The Way of the SEAL Summary Part 2: Tap Your Inner Power to Operate at Your Peak

In the first section we discussed how leaders can tackle the VUCA business world like Navy SEALs do. Next we’ll examine five actions you can take to identify and tap your inner strengths, so you can operate at your highest level.

Action 1: Identify Your Core Compass

Divine says that to be an effective leader in a chaotic, evolving work world, you must first connect with your inner compass—the internal force based on your values and goals that guides you. This will prevent you from getting thrown by obstacles that arise and keep you focused so you can operate from your greatest point of strength.

(Shortform note: To reinforce your inner compass, medical experts say that friendships can also support you through difficult times. Friendships strengthen you by boosting your happiness, self-confidence, and self-worth; reducing your stress and feelings of isolation; and encouraging you to engage in healthy behaviors that support your well-being and goals.)

For example, imagine that you’ve been offered a promotion at work but your inner compass hinges on a stable family and home...

The Way of the SEAL Summary Part 3: Lead Effectively in an Unpredictable Work World

In the last section we talked about how to tap and harness your inner power to stay grounded and focused, confront your fears, and bolster your mental fortitude to operate at your peak. In this last section we’ll discuss actions that will help you successfully lead your business and respond to factors beyond your control.

Action 1: Set a Strong, Clear Mission

Divine says that when you start a new business in today’s unpredictable, ever-changing work world, you can mitigate the risk of failure and increase your organization’s resiliency by having a strong, achievable company mission that keeps you and your team focused on your objective. A clear mission makes it easier to determine where to target your resources so you don’t squander them, which helps you lead your business to success. (Shortform note: Divine describes a company’s “mission” as a goal, rather than a company mission statement, which states a business’s purpose, values, and overarching goals. Divine’s use of “mission” is presumably rooted in the “missions,” or military operations, that SEALs perform.)

A strong mission is:

• Simple and achievable
• Important to you and your company
• A strong fit...

Shortform Exercise: Manage Negative Thoughts and Emotions

Divine recommends managing your unhelpful thoughts and emotions to bolster your mental fortitude and achieve your goals as a business leader.

Reflect on a time that a negative thought or emotion entered your mind and interfered with your ability to focus on a goal you wanted to achieve. What was the feeling or thought, and how did it get in the way?