Jocko Willink Quotes

United States, Podcaster
September 8, 1971

John Gretton "Jocko" Willink (born September 8, 1971) is an American podcaster, author, and retired United States Navy SEAL. He received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service in the Iraq War. Willink was commander of SEAL Team Three's Task Unit Bruiser during the Battle of Ramadi. Jocko graduated from the University of San Diego in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in English. Together with fellow former SEAL Leif Babin, Willink wrote the book Extreme Ownership and founded the consulting firm Echelon Front. Willink hosts a weekly podcast with friend and Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner Echo Charles, called the Jocko Podcast.

Also known as Author, Military Officer

If you have to stand and fight, you train yourself so that you're able to do it.

Jocko Willink
One of the key qualities a leader must possess is the ability to detach from the chaos, mayhem, and emotions in a situation and make good, clear decisions based on what is actually happening.

Jocko Willink
- Good
- Chaos

We have food all around us all the time, and if we haven't eaten for three hours, we think we're starving. You're not starving - human beings can go for 30 days without food.

Jocko Willink
- Time
- Food
If you continue to keep low performers on your team, that are actually dragging the team down; you're failing the whole team, and eventually, the whole team is going to fail.

Jocko Willink
- Team
Anybody who tells you that a two-day conference, you're going to turn into the General Patton of leadership, they're not telling you the truth. But you can learn the fundamentals; you can absolutely understand the fundamentals.

Jocko Willink
- Truth
- Leadership
Discipline starts every day when the first alarm clock goes off in the morning. I say 'first alarm clock' because I have three, as I was taught by one of the most feared and respected instructors in SEAL training: one electric, one battery powered, one windup.

Jocko Willink
The thing about Jiu Jitsu is it is also not for everybody. It can be very humiliating and humbling. If you have a hard time dealing with the fact that someone smaller than you may be able to tap you out, it is going to be difficult.

Jocko Willink
- Time
- May
I eat steak primarily. That's pretty much what my diet consists of. Sometimes I supplement that with other steaks.

Jocko Willink
- Pretty

I'm always reading the next book. Taking notes. Highlighting, researching, studying. It doesn't stop.

Jocko Willink
- Book
- Stop
- Reading
Your success, or lack of success, is your responsibility. Even when you have a chain of command that you don't like as well, its your responsibility to work with the up chain of command.

Jocko Willink
- Up
- Work
- Success
Do I have chocolate chip cookies? Yes, I do. Do I have mint chocolate chip milkshakes? Yes, I do. I love them. They are fantastic. But when I have them, they're worth it. I earned them. I did something. I worked out super hard. I stayed clean on food.

Jocko Willink
- Food
- Chocolate