Your guide to becoming a worthy leader, based on true stories from a fulfilling military career
From the high seas to high commands in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, Sea Dog: A Seafaring Captain's Lessons in Leadership tells the tale of Charles L. Stuppard and his journey from growing up surrounded by poverty and violence to becoming a Navy Captain in charge of the US Navy's most technologically sophisticated warship. In this book, Stuppard details exactly how he managed to not only become a great leader, but one who acts with character, empathy, and honor, not because of inherent advantages in his life, but rather through learning and applying hard lessons at every point in his fulfilling career.
Drawing on captivating stories from intense special training and beyond, this book covers key leadership concepts such as:
- Learning to focus on the right things so that the rest of your team will follow your lead
- Defining your success as a leader by what people say about you after you leave your organization
- Using your power to encourage empathy and generosity in yourself and others
Captivating, inspiring, and practical, Sea Dog: A Seafaring Captain's Lessons in Leadership is an essential read for aspiring and current leaders across organizations and industries who seek to lead with confidence, charisma, and compassion.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xiii
Chapter 1: Haiti: Learning Lessons that Last a Lifetime 1
Chapter 2: A Strange New World 17
Chapter 3: The Arduous Journey from Air to Sea 33
Chapter 4: Underway: The First Journey as a Ship and as an Officer 47
Chapter 5: Running the Combat Systems Team 63
Chapter 6: Four Commanding Officers: Learning to Work for and Learn from Very Different Leaders 81
Chapter 7: On the Path to Becoming a Commander 105
Chapter 8: In the Heart of the Pentagon 117
Chapter 9: Command of the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) 131
Chapter 10: From Exercises to Exits 145
Chapter 11: Teaching in School, Training in War 163
Chapter 12: The Base 181
Chapter 13: The Last Commands 195
Chapter 14: A Sea Dog’s Final Lessons 211
Index 219
