Tesco
From the Sea to the C-Suite
Book

From the Sea to the C-Suite

Lessons Learned from the Bridge to the Corner Office

VADM Cutler Dawson USN (Ret) and Taylor Baldwin Kiland
Naval Institute, 2019

Read or listen offline

  • 0.5×
  • 0.75×
  • 1×
  • 1.25×
  • 1.5×
  • 1.75×
1×

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Concrete Examples
  • Engaging
  • Insider's Take

Recommendation

Having led at the highest levels in the US Navy and then served as president of the largest credit union in America, VADM Cutler Dawson brings a new perspective to the leadership genre. Dawson and co-author Taylor Baldwin Kiland assert that employees matter most and should come first, an idea that other well-regarded leadership authors also advocate. Dawson’s stories, drawn from experiences such as commanding a battle group in the Persian Gulf and intercepting a Soviet spy ship, aren’t quite the stuff of Tom Clancy, but they illustrate principles that will resonate with readers at any stage of their leadership career.

Take-Aways

  • The US Navy prepares its leaders to assess risk, make decisions and accept responsibility.
  • Cutler Dawson developed his core leadership principles during his career as an admiral in the US Navy and at the helm of the Navy Federal Credit Union.
  • Leaders should get out of their offices frequently to meet with, listen to and learn from employees.

About the Authors

Cutler Dawson rose from junior lieutenant in the Navy to Vice Admiral, and became CEO of the United States’ biggest credit union, Navy Federal. 

Comment on this summary or Iniciar a Discussão

  • Avatar
    Sign in to share your opinion
  • Avatar
    R. E. 4 years ago
    Interesting perspective of putting employees first, and one worth thinking about. i suppose in the navy there isn't really a client - just a whole lot of employees at another organisation that have to be forced to comply. And if they don't - kill them. The Navy is probably the most critical of the 4 armed divisions as they get sea-lanes open and the trade flowing. A client in the form of national import/export industry, but not one who directly pays and you can put a finger on.