Extreme Ownership and My Teenage Son

Last night as I was sorting and folding laundry, I called my 13-year-old son Josiah up and handed him two books. Then I outlined for him a summer reading plan project.

The two books I handed him are co-written by the same two men: Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Seasoned and experienced Navy SEAL leaders who have had long, full careers in the military and outside of it putting leadership principles into practice.

How do we take ownership of the situations around us for the benefit of those who depend on us in various spheres of life? How can we think rightly about self-discipline, hard work, communication, and our own personal attitude? It’s all here.

And I think as far as summer reading projects go, you couldn’t ask for much better for a teenage boy about to turn 14 at the end of next month.

But before I could recommend to Josiah reading these two books, I read them. And that’s part of how we fathers of young men in the making have to approach these things. What example are we setting to influence our charges and lead them in the right direction?

Consider Proverbs 24:3-7.

“By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Wisdom is too high for a fool;
in the gate he does not open his mouth.”

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