Saltwater Leadership, Second Edition: A Primer on Leadership for the Sea Services

by Robert Wray, John B Mustin, Theodore P LeClair, Andrew Ledford USN

Overview

Saltwater Leadership, Second Edition is about leadership in the maritime environment. The unforgiving, dynamic, and unconquerable nature of the sea requires direct leadership, often with very little margin of error. The unique and common nature of professional life on the sea applies not only to junior naval leaders but also officer and enlisted leaders from the Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. Based on decades of leadership experiences, Saltwater Leadership covers a wide variety of topics, including basic junior officer leadership, taking care of people, providing forceful backup, leadership and culture, and professional competence. ​ ​

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682476383
Publisher:	Naval Institute Press
Publication date:	05/15/2021
Series:	Blue & Gold Professional Library
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

A Naval Academy graduate, RADM Robert Wray, USN (Ret.), served as a nuclear engineer on surface ships. After transferring to the reserves, he enjoyed a multi-faceted career in construction, hospitality, and technology. After promotion to admiral, he returned to active duty for six years, eventually serving as President of the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). He is now CEO of a tech company in Maryland.

RDML Theodore P. S. LeClair, USN, a Surface Warfare Officer, initially served as First Lieutenant and Repair Division Officer aboard USS Callaghan (DDG 994). He has operational experience in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf including deployments in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch, and Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He has command experience at the O-4, O-5, and O-6 level. He currently serves as Deputy Commander, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet.

CDR Andrew K. Ledford, USN, PhD, graduated the Naval Academy in 1995 spending his first several years as a Marine Infantry Officer. He later transferred to the Navy, leading operational units in multiple regions. In 2013 he was selected for to be a Permanent Military Professor and received his PhD from Princeton University.

VADM John B. Mustin USN, is a Surface Warfare Officer with afloat service on Aegis cruisers and destroyers, and command experience at the O-4, O-5, O-6 and Strike Group level. As Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, he led 14 ships, 10 ashore commands, and 25,000 Sailors and Marines. He currently serves as Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, leading 60,000 sailors.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the First Edition xi

Preface xiii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Leadership for Young Leaders at Sea 3

Chapter 2 A Brief History of Leadership 14

Chapter 3 Leadership Defined through Lists 24

Chapter 4 Junior Officer Leadership Lessons 57

Chapter 5 Taking Care of People 74

Chapter 6 Forceful Backup 97

Chapter 7 Culture 111

Chapter 8 Professional Competence 133

Chapter 9 Leadership Advice from Those Who Have Led 155

Chapter 10 Becoming the Leader You Want to Be 171

Appendix A The Thirty-Five Leadership Books 187

Appendix B A Conversation with the Ages 193

Index 203

Editorial Reviews

Saltwater Leadership is a small book with lots of wisdom.... Indeed the book’s anecdotes give another insight into U.S. Navy. The authors should be commended for the efforts they have put into this fine book.” —Australian Naval Institute

“This little book can be an interesting reading and help for cadets and junior naval officers of other nations too. In all articles one can see the specifics of a naval officer, formed by the nature of seas, the need of working in teams and the representation of their own country.” —Marine Forum

“Four high-ranking Naval officers offer leadership advice aimed, specifically, at junior officers in the sea services: the Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Merchant Marines. The text also serves up ample lessons for other up-and-coming leaders. Commander Andrew Ledford and Admirals Robert O. Wray Jr., John B. Mustin, and Theodore P. S. LeClair reject command and control leadership, even within the military. Their powerful, instructive stories emphasize caring, openness, continuous learning and trust as the keys to successful leadership.” —getAbstract

Praise from the first edition of Saltwater Leadership: “Saltwater Leadership is more than a terrific, relevant leadership primer for young officers. It’s a worthwhile read regardless of seniority and a book to be perused often as a valuable, practical leadership course check.” —ADM Gary Roughead, USN (Ret.), Former Chief of Naval Operations

Praise from the first edition of Saltwater Leadership: “I wish I had owned this book when I was a junior officer at sea. I hope you’ll read it, and be a better officer for it. Our nation needs that.” —President George H. W. Bush, LT JG, USNR

From the Publisher

Leadership can be daunting with heroes casting a big shadow and the study of leadership can be overwhelming. Libraries contain leadership books that address academic theories that apply to businesses. But how many are designed specifically for junior officer leaders in the sea services? In a slim, pocket-sized book, Saltwater Leadership captures the collective wisdom of their 100-plus years of successful naval service concisely. It is based on their surveys of 380 other senior leaders and their review of thousands of pages of leadership books. True to the aim of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Blue & Gold Professional Library, the book is an inside job for naval leaders by naval leaders. Readers can practically smell the ocean as they glean solid lessons from trusted seafaring hands…. Highly recommend for all junior officers, officer candidates, and midshipmen.

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