In this weekly ramble, I break down one of the most influential books I’ve ever read—Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. This episode isn’t a chapter-by-chapter summary. It’s a deep dive into how the mindset of extreme ownership has transformed the way I lead, parent, invest, and handle adversity.
I share real-life stories—from my early flips and hiring missteps to leading a sales agency and raising my kids. And the common thread in all of them? At the end of the day, you are responsible. When things go wrong, it’s not about pointing fingers—it’s about stepping up and owning the outcome. That’s how real leaders think. That’s how people who win long-term operate.
If you’ve ever struggled with blame, excuses, or the need to control what’s out of your hands, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about owning your life.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
02:00 JJ’s Joke of the Week
03:05 The core principle: you are responsible for everything in your life
04:16 Why most people deflect, blame, and point fingers
06:27 You can’t change the past—only what you do next 09:11 How you should be taking extreme ownership 13:34 Leadership lessons: owning what your team does under your name
17:13 How taking extreme ownership as a leader builds trust
21:01 Ownership = Control
23:55 Inventory check: where are you deflecting responsibility right now?
Quotables
“Extreme ownership isn’t about blame, it’s about control. It’s about what happens next.”
“When things go wrong, ask: what did I do or not do to let this happen?”
“Leaders who blame rarely grow. Leaders who own get better, stronger, and more trusted.”
Links
608B Capital
Extreme Ownership
https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057
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