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Book Review
THE It is no secret the Marines have long been respected on Wall Street or that a Marine Corps resumé garners notable attention from headhunters and corporate recruiters. Now McGraw-Hill's publication of "The Marine Corps Way: Using Maneuver Warfare to Lead a Winning Organization," December 2003, offers business leaders an "inside look" at the Marine Corps' playbook. This case-based reference offers compelling examples of how any organization can become a winning organization through the application of the basic, albeit evasive leadership principles critical in the execution of maneuver warfare philosophy. In their enlightening application of combined arms, the authors, two former Marine officers—one combat arms, another combat service support—and the third a renowned academic, bring overwhelming fires to bear on the study of maneuver warfare and its practical application to the business world. At the same time, they give cause for Marines to redouble our efforts in applying these "seven guiding principles" as we lead our sister services in the transformation of the American military profession, critical to success in the 21st century. The seven guiding principles as the authors present them—targeting critical vulnerabilities, boldness, surprise, focus, decentralized decision-making, rapid tempo and combined arms—are the elements critical to success. It is attention to leadership that integrates and gels the principles into a winning strategy. In the authors' words, "Maneuver warfare is not about execution in isolation, but rather it is about applying the principles simultaneously—in subsets or as an integrated whole—to determine the most decisive outcome at the least cost." This book is different from other Marine business books and strategic studies in several ways. Most notable is the attention to implementing a strategy. "The Marine Corps Way" offers a guiding framework for developing and executing strategy, reinforcing its prescriptions for success with 46 case studies from both warfare and business. It illuminates the Marine Corps' strength in dealing with limited resources, disorder, uncertainty and chaos—all of which are issues in today's corporate environment. The authors' colorful blend of historical study and contemporary business success stories hold the reader's interest as they also light the path toward competitive advantage. The book challenges today's leaders to embrace the uncertainty and complexity of a fluid environment, be it market or battlefield, and use their organizational strengths, most notably the small unit leadership, to overwhelm the competition. A testament to this book's value, the authors have impressed many of those who stand out as examples of Marine leaders who have made the transition to corporate America. Endorsements from Fred Smith of FedEx, General Charles C. Krulak, 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, and numerous corporate leaders adorn the cover, lending unquestionable credibility to the authors' presentation. Culminating in a defining chapter on leadership, "The Marine Corps Way" is a recipe for success, sure to be on many business school and executive reading lists in coming years. I recommend it for every Marine leader, especially the officers and
senior enlisted leadership at the battalion level, our version of that
business manager described in Chapter 12 as having "the potential to
deliver breakthrough results." LtCol Charles J. Tulaney Editor's note: LtCol Tulaney is the Inspector-Instructor, 6th Communications Bn, Fourth Force Service Support Group, Brooklyn, N.Y. During 2002-03, he was assigned to the Marine Corps National Fellowship Program with Wyser-Pratte Management Company, New York City. Unless otherwise noted, books featured in
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