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Call Sign Chaos
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead | Bing West, Jim Mattis
6 posts | 7 read | 3 to read
A clear-eyed account of learning how to lead in a chaotic world, by General Jim Mattis—the former Secretary of Defense and one of the most formidable strategic thinkers of our time—and Bing West, a former assistant secretary of defense and combat Marine.

Call Sign Chaos is the account of Jim Mattis’s storied career, from wide-ranging leadership roles in three wars to ultimately commanding a quarter of a million troops across the Middle East. Along the way, Mattis recounts his foundational experiences as a leader, extracting the lessons he has learned about the nature of warfighting and peacemaking, the importance of allies, and the strategic dilemmas—and short-sighted thinking—now facing our nation. He makes it clear why America must return to a strategic footing so as not to continue winning battles but fighting inconclusive wars.

Mattis divides his book into three parts: Direct Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In the first part, Mattis recalls his early experiences leading Marines into battle, when he knew his troops as well as his own brothers. In the second part, he explores what it means to command thousands of troops and how to adapt your leadership style to ensure your intent is understood by your most junior troops so that they can own their mission. In the third part, Mattis describes the challenges and techniques of leadership at the strategic level, where military leaders reconcile war’s grim realities with political leaders’ human aspirations, where complexity reigns and the consequences of imprudence are severe, even catastrophic.

Call Sign Chaos is a memoir of a life of warfighting and lifelong learning, following along as Mattis rises from Marine recruit to four-star general. It is a journey about learning to lead and a story about how he, through constant study and action, developed a unique leadership philosophy, one relevant to us all.
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LisaLovesToRead
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead | Bing West, Jim Mattis
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Pickpick

I was overall impressed with Mattis‘ conviction and dedication to the marines. It was especially moving to hear of his concern for the troops and how he could disagree with certain decisions but still respect their authority & them as people. I think a lot of people could learn from this great example!

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CRR
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead | Bing West, Jim Mattis
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Pickpick

Good book. I had read another about General Mattis so some of the information was obviously repeated. But this book was good because his voice was in all of it. I enjoyed reading it and learned new things about the past and military thinking in general.

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Trace
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead | Bing West, Jim Mattis
Pickpick

Enjoyed how the book was compartmented and the themes of learning from mistakes and encouraging disruptive thinking.

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danibel
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead | Bing West, Jim Mattis
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Okay, that‘s pretty funny.

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danibel
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead | Bing West, Jim Mattis
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danibel
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead | Bing West, Jim Mattis
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