“Leadership Is Language” by L. David Marquet presents a revolutionary approach to leadership that challenges traditional command-and-control methods. Marquet, a former U.S. Navy captain, argues that the language leaders use can significantly impact organizational culture and performance. The book introduces a new leadership playbook that emphasizes the strategic use of communication to foster better decision-making, empower employees, and achieve superior results.

Marquet’s methodology is built around the concept of shifting from a rigid hierarchy where leaders make decisions and workers execute them, to a more collaborative environment where everyone is involved in both thinking and doing. This approach breaks down the traditional separation between “thinkers” and “doers,” encouraging a more integrated and adaptive organizational culture.

The book outlines six key plays that leaders can use to transform their teams:

1. Control the Clock: Encourage teams to take the time to discuss and evaluate options rather than rushing to decisions.
2. Collaborate: Foster open discussions and seek input from all team members to avoid coercion and promote collaboration.
3. Commit: Build commitment through collaboration, ensuring that all team members are invested in the outcomes.
4. Complete: Focus on completing defined goals rather than continuing work indefinitely.
5. Improve: Encourage continuous improvement through reflective thinking and learning from past actions.
6. Connect: Flatten the power gradient to build caring and open connections within the team.

Marquet illustrates these principles with real-world examples, including the tragic story of the El Faro, a container ship that sank due to a lack of effective communication and collaboration. He contrasts this with his own experience on the USS Santa Fe, where changing the language and leadership approach led to a dramatic improvement in performance and morale.