Rating: 
Summary: Pick up a copy A.S.A.P
Review: "Semper Fi: Buisness Leadership the Marine Corps Way". Wow! What a read. I hope anyone that knows anything about the Marines or loves this great nation will pick up this book and read it as soon as you possibly can. It's that good. The way you can tell if a book is worthy of a five star review is if you literally did not want to put it down once. It will have your attention throughout. Read it today and you'll finish it tomorrow, I hope you enjoy.
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Summary: A solid benchmark in leadership
Review: As a former Marine officer and now a corporate cubical dweller I found this book an excellent reminder of my leadership training and experience from my years in the Marine Corps. One needs not to have served for this book to be useful. However, one does need to read the book with some caution. The authors presented a Marine Corps that seemed euphoric in nature. I loved my time in the Marines, but my experience recalls institutionalized pitfalls and humanistic weaknesses as well. "Semper Fi" offers outstanding advice, but is by no means a cure-all or a magic bullet. The principles outlined in the book will only be effective if applied with a lot of hard work. The leadership principles are simple and they were presented in a clear and practical format. The reader must understand effective leaders in the Marine Corps have been and must be vigilant in their efforts. As the authors made clear in the book, leadership by example is essential. I have utilized many of the same leadership principles from manufacturing and process improvement to project management, and the results have clearly made positive changes to the business and to the personnel impacted by these changes. I strongly recommend this book to anyone in or aspiring to a leadership position. I would even go as far to say those currently serving in the Marine Corps or military could benefit from this easy reading book. It sets a benchmark for business's to work towards and for the military to maintain and improve upon.
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Summary: Marine Corps human development IS psychologically sound!
Review: Dr.Jim Tunney, the retired dean of NFL referees and one of the nation's best motivational speakers may have described the theme of Semper Fi the best when he said, "Winner's don't have a good attitude because they win, they win because they have a good attitude." The blunt, intimidating, humiliating style of motivation and human development often associated with the Marine Corps is quickly dispelled in this book. Instead, it is shown that after twelve weeks of combat readiness basic training, the Marine style of developing people is psychologically sound and can be used in the business world. It is a must read. Research in workplace motivation has been neglected since 1927 when the "halo effect" style of managing was proven to be the most efficient. The Marine Corps understands that "unit cohesiveness" is important and loyalty of people to an organization cannot be coerced, it must be inspired by good leadership. The authors make it clear that every recruit is made to feel special through the openness and trust conveyed by their supervisors. Such traits are missing in corporate America. The goal of Marine Corp leadership is to develop winning attitudes in people and this is done from the bottom up, not through the insulting top-down methods common in most businesses. The book points out how high morale can be maintained by the way supervisors relate to those they must lead whether it be in battle or business. The welfare of the individual is paramount and the Marine motto of Semper Fi, which means Always Faithful, is highlighted in the book. However, the authors focus on constantly reminding readers that in business as in the Marines, loyalty, team spirit, unit cohesiveness, togetherness, openness and trust are results of psychologically sound human development, compassionate management and inspirational leadership. Read Semper Fi if you believe the following: In 21st Century Leadership, Kenneth Chenault said, "What is clearly going to be needed in the 21st century, particularly with the diversity of the workforce, is the ability to inspire...inspirational leadership is going to become very critical." The Marines know how! Norman Jones,Ed.D. - author of Performance Management in the 21st Century
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Summary: Semper Fi!
Review: I only read non fiction books, which are not always interesting. It was difficult to put Semper Fi down without getting to page 223, (the end). The book brought back a lot of memories, and reinforced many areas I had not thought about when I was in the Corps in the '60's. There is also much food for thought for those in the real world, outside the military. Dan Carrison & Rod Walsh's book inspired me to write "What Not To Do When Seeking Employment", where Chapter 1 starts with my four year enlistment in the USMC and shares my entire 40 year career. Once a Marine Always a Marine. Great read!
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Summary: I've lived it in the Corps and I see where it would apply
Review: I retired from the Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant. During my career in the Marine Corps, I was fortunate to experience what Rod and Dan wrote about the Corps. I have been in the civilian workforce for almost 20 years now. Based on my experience and my education (an MBA) I highly recommend that Semper Fi!: Business Leadership the Marine Corps Way become mandatory reading for all supervisors at ALL levels. I also feel that college students should read this book if they are taking management courses.
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Summary: You dont have to be a Marine zealot to love this book.
Review: Lots of reviews here from ex-Marines and unapologetic patriots. I am neither. But this book is an EXCELLENT book about LEADERSHIP. It is not about militarism, and it does not suggest management without compassion. It is a book which even instilled respect in me for an organization that I clearly have misunderstood.
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Summary: A Great Buy at Twice the Price
Review: Semper Fi is one of the best business books I've read in a long time. And that's a pretty strong statement from an avid reader and reviewer with over three decades of experience as a management consultant and executive.
Somehow I missed this book when it was first released in 1999 in a hardcover edition. As the authors point out in their introduction, the messages contained in the book are perhaps more relevant today than they were in 1999. We face more challenges, different corporate and operating environments, and greater needs for strong leadership than ever before. Complicating this condition is the serious dearth of leadership in corporate America. Our playing field is no longer level-now more like shifting sands...or shifting geology. Special leadership is needed in times of earthquakes!
The United States Marine Corps builds leaders, and has for centuries. The application of techniques and values to make a Marine or a Marine officer are powerful and proven; they have stood the test of time. The authors, both former active duty Marines ("once a Marine, always a Marine"), explain the process and the foundation that makes each Marine and the Corps so well-respected and so effective. These principles really resonated with me as I read page after page, in light of the role of the Marines in the history that leaps out of our front pages every day.
Each chapter begins with some aspect of how the Marines do it, then relate the principles to business applications. The advice is solid, inspiring, and immediately useful. The content and the writing style held my rapt attention and made me want more. I was actually disappointed when the book ended. And I found myself wishing I had served my country as a Marine instead of a dedicated member of the US Army. Now understanding the difference, I am sorry I missed what Marines get. And, at the same time, I'm anxious to share the message of this book with clients and friends.
With a price tag of only $15 retail, corporate leaders can purchase copies of Semper Fi to give to each of their executives and managers...at least. Learn, appreciate, and apply the knowledge in these pages to change your organization into a high performance team. Idea: if your company is fortunate enough to have former Marines or reservists on the payroll, call on them to validate and explain what being a Marine is all about...and what the experience means to them today.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: The best how to run a business book I have read. I issue one to all of my management team.
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Summary: Too much glorifying of USMC
Review: The book describes the Marine Corps values and culture very well. Hence, the book deserves its 3 stars for the fascinating read of the USMC's way. It doesn't get 4-5 stars from me because the USMC's way is not always applicable in the businessworld. Furthermore, the book tends to glorfiy the USMC. I am sure USMC has many good thing to learn from, but I also know it is well known for its brutality. Despite what the USMC says, the marines routinely chastise, tease, and beat those who are 1)gay or act gay 2)has a obsessively macho culture 3)tolerates Marines coddling prostitutes. In other words, there are few things about USMC no businesses should practice.
Rating:
Summary: A great read for any business owner or manager
Review: THis book takes the best of the Corps' philosophy of being the best and transfers it to business. It advocates honesty (which is called transparency by MBAs)fairness, personal integrity and responsibility (which MBAs call accountability) and putting the right people in the right places. What a novel concept.
As a former Marine, I found this book enlightening and straightforward. I recommend it to everyone as a good resource on the honest way to run a business.
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