Jocko Podcast 9: Gen. George S. Patton, 'War as I Knew It'

• Be on the offensive
• Be aware of the disease of victory
• Sometimes you need to be humbled
• “School yourself to savagery”
• Make up your mind on the strategic level and stick to it; on a tactical level, be adaptable in approach
• Patton’s number one character trait was discipline
• No sane man is unafraid
• Self-respect comes from discipline; it is born from it and of it
• The root of all good qualities is discipline
• “The courageous man is the one who forces himself in spite of his fear to carry on”
• Do not overthink and hesitate in the moment of action
• Always look for the high ground
• “Take the high ground or the high ground will take you”
• “The best is the enemy of the good”
• You can never be perfect - but you can be great
• There is an element of showmanship in leadership
• Keep yourself in check
• Always assume responsibility and be humble
• Follow up verbal communication with the written communication
• Keep things concise
• Never tell how to do something - tell what to do, and let one figure out how
• Discipline must be an ingrained habit
• The more you hold the line, the stronger the line becomes
• Discipline enforces discipline
• Fatigue is temporary
• Saying no makes it easier to say no
• Do not tolerate negligence
• Assert the way by example
• The battle cannot be won without discipline
• Frontal attacks should be avoided at all costs
• Bring as many resources and assets as you can bring to bear on your objectives/aims
• “It is easier to hold what you have than to retake what you have lost”
• Never use the word never
• “To halt under fire is folly”
• Be the first man in and the last man out
• Praise is more valuable than blame
• Plan - and then execute the plan
• Plans are meant to be built upon
• Stay informed
• “High physical condition is vital to victory”
• “Do not take counsel of your fears”
• Fears do not get a vote
• If you have a chance to avoid a fight, run away
• To lead up the chain of command, build trust and confidence
• Getting better is how you will win
• The best evolve
• Do not let your ego fight the egos of others
• “Jack the big steel”
• Excuses are a lack of discipline
• Do what you do because this is you
• No one is superhuman
• Somewhere your opponents are preparing
• Every breath we take is a sacred gift: every day, thought, sunrise and smile
• Do not let the gift of life go to waste
• Live in their memory, and in their honour
• Get after it