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Guidelines for the Leader and the Commander

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Featured on The Jocko Podcast “The finest little handbook on leadership and training ever written.” --Col. David Hackworth, author of the bestseller About Face Guidelines for the Leader and the Commander is an enduring classic. Written by the Army’s premier trainer of the twentieth century, this is a wide-ranging collection of principles and maxims to guide the building, training, and leading of any organization, with a focus on the individuals who make up that organization. Clarke intended the book to enlighten and instruct leaders, and those who aspire to leadership, in every profession and every walk of life. Thoughtful as well as concrete, pithy and often conversational, Clarke’s book resonates today.

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

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About the author

Bruce C. Clarke

2 books1 follower

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
36 reviews
February 6, 2021
"The finest little handbook on leadership and training ever written." - Col. David Hackworth
I would give this book 12 stars if I could. Let no one tell you the classics are no longer being written - General Clarke's Guidelines at the very least matches The Art of War in both wisdom and simplicity. This book should be required reading for anyone in a leadership position, whether military or civilian. My favorite (non-religious) book of all time.
Profile Image for Espen Stølan Holten.
104 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2021
Originally published in 1963, Gen Clark’s thoughts are still relevant for Leaders and Commanders today.

These guidelines are both practical and philosophical, to be used directly in your unit or to be discussed among fellow commanders.

Recommended for company level officers and above.
Profile Image for lauren Alexander.
90 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2024
This books has so many highlighted pages and annotations, truly a great book on leadership. Was written in 1963 so some thing outdated but the basic leadership and command principles are there and honestly some life principles too. Took a long time to read but finally done and now I just wanna write all the high lighted parts into a little book of wisdom!

It’s definitely a book anyone in the military should read as well as a leadership position in the civilian world, can always apply there too.
Profile Image for Brandon Donoho.
6 reviews
June 15, 2022
A time piece, but dense with relevant information on the management, leadership, and “commandership” of Army units. A good primer, I feel, to jump start an officer facing assumption of command to dig deeper into unfamiliar subject encountered in this book, and start off with the right mindset as they take command.
Profile Image for Michael Moffeit.
10 reviews
October 28, 2021
Written decades ago, this book has tons of wisdom that is still applicable even today in the modern era.

Should be required reading for all military officers!
Profile Image for Dhruv.
112 reviews14 followers
October 12, 2022
One of the greatest books on leadership ever written - influenced Hackworth and Jocko, no less. 10/10 totally amazing.
91 reviews
June 25, 2023
Interesting window into leadership in the military.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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