The Bolduc Brief: Common Themes in What It Takes to Be Number One, Leaders Eat Last, The Dichotomy of Leadership, and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog

As a leader, from a young sergeant squad leader to a division-level commanding general, I made every leadership mistake in the book. Recognizing these mistakes, I could appreciate the construct of listening, learning, and then leading. Being an effective leader is a matter of following simple principles but challenging. In addition to the lessons and examples in these books, there are common themes leaders should follow to succeed. I found these themes in many books, but I offer the four books below as an example of what leaders must do to be effective. I am well aware that, at times, my leadership approach was criticized. My leadership approach was simple: know your job and do your job. Always give 100% and never quit. Do not do anything illegal, immoral, and negligently unsafe. Always keep faith with your subordinates, and never betray them to the politics of your bosses.

The common themes among the books “What It Takes to Be Number One,” “Leaders Eat Last,” “The Dichotomy of Leadership,” and “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog” revolve around leadership, personal growth, and the complexities of being a successful leader.

1. Leadership: All the books emphasize the importance of effective leadership. They explore various aspects of leadership, such as leading by example, creating a positive work culture, and making tough decisions.

2. Personal Growth: The books highlight the significance of personal growth for leaders. They discuss the importance of continuous learning, self-reflection, and overcoming challenges to become better leaders.

3. Team Dynamics: A recurring theme is the significance of building and nurturing strong teams. The books emphasize the need for trust, collaboration, and supporting team members to achieve collective goals.

4. Ethical Leadership: Another common theme is the importance of ethical leadership. The books stress the need for leaders to act with integrity, prioritize the well-being of their team, and make ethical decisions in challenging situations.

5. Balancing Priorities: The books explore the dichotomy of leadership, wherein leaders must balance competing priorities. They discuss the need to make tough decisions, manage risk, and balance taking charge and empowering others.

6. Resilience and Adaptability: The books emphasize the need for leaders to be resilient and adaptable. They discuss strategies for overcoming failures, bouncing back from setbacks, and embracing change to navigate uncertain environments.

7. Wisdom and Reflection: “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog” focuses explicitly on the importance of wisdom and reflection in leadership. It highlights the need for leaders to pause, reflect, and gain insights from their experiences to make better decisions.

These books provide valuable insights into the qualities, challenges, and strategies associated with effective leadership, personal growth, and ethical decision-making.

In his famous speech, Vince Lombardi outlines the qualities and mindset required to be number one. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong desire to win and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Lombardi believes success is achieved through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He stresses the need for self-discipline and self-motivation, urging individuals to push themselves beyond their limits. Lombardi highlights the significance of teamwork, emphasizing that no individual can succeed alone. He encourages individuals to embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. Lombardi concludes by stating that being number one requires an individual to give their best effort in all aspects of life, both on and off the field.

Lombardi’s message is clear: to be number one, one must possess a burning desire to win, a relentless commitment to excellence, and an unwavering work ethic. It requires self-discipline, self-motivation, and pushing oneself beyond perceived limits. Teamwork is essential, as no individual can achieve greatness alone. Challenges should be embraced as opportunities for growth, and one’s best effort must be given in all aspects of life. Lombardi’s words are a powerful reminder that being number one is not just about winning games but about embodying a mindset of constant improvement and striving for greatness in every endeavor.

“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek is a book that emphasizes the importance of strong leadership in creating a safe and productive work environment. The book argues that leaders should prioritize the well-being and growth of their team members, just as a parent would prioritize their child’s needs. Leaders can inspire their team members to reach their full potential and achieve greater success by creating a culture of trust, cooperation, and support. Sinek also explores the biology and psychology behind effective leadership, highlighting the role of hormones such as serotonin and oxytocin in creating a positive work environment. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the idea that when leaders prioritize the needs of their team members above their own, everyone benefits and achieves greater overall success.

As described by Jocko Willink, the dichotomy of leadership refers to the balancing act that leaders must undertake to be effective. It involves finding the middle ground between two seemingly opposing qualities or approaches.

One aspect of the dichotomy is the balance between being aggressive and being measured. Aggression is necessary to drive forward and achieve goals, but it must be tempered with thoughtful analysis and decision-making to avoid reckless actions. A leader must be assertive, take charge, and consider potential risks and consequences.

Another aspect is the balance between being confident and being humble. Confidence is essential to inspire and motivate others, but it should not lead to arrogance or close-mindedness. A leader must be open to feedback, admit mistakes, and constantly seek improvement.

Furthermore, there is a balance between being decisive and being flexible. Leaders must make quick decisions in a fast-paced environment but must also adapt and adjust their plans when new information or circumstances arise. They must have the courage to stick to their decisions and the humility to change course if necessary.

Overall, the dichotomy of leadership highlights the importance of finding the middle ground between different qualities and approaches, allowing leaders to be influential in various situations while avoiding the pitfalls of extremes.

Admiral McRaven, a former Navy SEAL, shared the wisdom of a bullfrog to highlight the importance of perseverance and resilience. In his speech, he described a training exercise where trainees had to paddle a boat through a bullfrog-filled swamp. As they paddled, the bullfrogs would jump into the boat, causing chaos and distraction. The trainees had to remain calm and focused, carefully picking up each bullfrog and tossing it back into the swamp.

From this experience, Admiral McRaven drew three key lessons:

1. He emphasized the significance of taking care of the little things. By promptly addressing the bullfrogs, the trainees prevented a small problem from escalating into a bigger one.
2. He highlighted the importance of maintaining composure in the face of chaos. Rather than panicking or losing focus, the trainees remained calm and handled the situation efficiently.
3. Admiral McRaven stressed the value of working together as a team.

Only by collaborating and supporting each other were the trainees able to complete the exercise.

Overall, the wisdom of a bullfrog teaches us to pay attention to the small details, stay composed during challenging times, and work together as a team to overcome obstacles. These lessons can be applied to various aspects of life, emphasizing the significance of resilience and perseverance in achieving success.

In conclusion, the books “What It Takes to Be Number One,” “Leaders Eat Last,” “The Dichotomy of Leadership,” and “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog” share common themes that revolve around leadership, personal growth, and the complexities of being a successful leader. They highlight the importance of effective leadership, the need for personal growth and continuous learning, the significance of building strong teams and fostering trust, the importance of ethical decision-making, the challenges of balancing priorities, the necessity of resilience and adaptability, and the value of wisdom and reflection in leadership. These books provide valuable insights for leaders seeking to enhance their skills, navigate challenges, and create positive and successful work environments. By understanding and applying the principles discussed in these books, leaders can strive to become the best version of themselves and inspire others to do the same.

Donald C. Bolduc