The Commando Way: A Special Forces commander's lessons for life, leadership and success

by Bram Connolly

'For Bram to share his amazing stories is a gift . . . you can't help but be inspired.' - Paul RoosTo be a good leader you first have to be a good follower, but to be a great leader you have to remember that being a good follower wasn't easy.Imagine having access to the planning, training and motivational secrets of Australia's most elite military operators; then imagine being able to adapt what they know to your own everyday life. This is what Bram Connolly gives us in this smart, surprising, optimistic and autobiographical manual for resilience, personal leadership and success.In sharing the tedium of training as a raw recruit and taking us into the pitch of battle during some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan, Bram Connolly reminds us among other things that it is okay to be bored, that laziness can quickly become a habit, that there are advantages in being scared and that it's fine to let go. Clear-headed, honest and self-deprecating, The Commando Way offers powerful lessons that can be used in all aspects of life, no matter who you are. 'The Commando Way is an engaging and practical journey . . . a must read for leaders in any stage of their own leadership journey.' - General Stanley McChrystal (Ret'd), former commander of US and International Security Assistance Forces Afghanistan

Genres: Military Fiction, Leadership

226 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2020

About the author

As a Special Forces officer, Bram Connolly served several tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in combat. He takes you deep into the world of high-intensity combat few have experienced.

Reviews

[Terry Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often do you get a chance to talk to astonishing people that have been through unimaginable experiences and gained valuable insights. This is what I love about reading books where you can learn and get a sense of experiences and lessons from people who have lived fascinating lives.

Bram Connolly the author of the book has spent 20 years in the military. From Infantry to Special Forces (Commando) to Officer in Charge and finally to Major.

In ways I found this book to be similar to '12 Rules for Life' by Jordan Peterson, another favourite of mine. Both of these books contain important wisdom and knowledge that will change your life for the better.

Book is concisely written and hard to put down. Lessons are simple but comprehensive and packed with interesting / sometimes grueling stories of Bram's time in the military. I just love the honesty of the author in his writing, in his way he evaluates himself.

There's so much packed into this book, it's hard to summarise it, but it would be something like this:
Don't be lazy, work hard when you can. Listen to people with an open mind and embrace the suck. Train like you're going to fight and make decisions under pressure. Train yourself to face fear and operate normally despite the fear. Prioritise sleep, treat your equipment well and learn to really listen to people. Embrace boredom and use it well. When you go through tough times say to yourself "how good is this" with a smile :)

Great book, highly recommended.

[jackson mckellar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read, especially on leadership. The way Bram uses his experiences of war and time in the military to detail his point of view is compelling.

[Simon Gunning · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is taking a year to read predominantly non-fiction and is on somewhat of a trek of self-development and discovery as a dad, husband, colleague and a friend I found this incredibly beneficial.
The key takeaway for me is if I ever joined the army I would either be dead or would have a lot of colleagues killed quickly.
That said, the examples presented are great and the key takeaway summaries at the end of ever chapter were great.
It's a book I know I will refer back to regularly in future years and would recommend to anyone.

[Amarjeet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meticulous analysis and go-to guide for learning leadership. That said, Connolly doesn't fail to articulate the fact on every second page that you must enact his advise to actually witness it's results.

One of those books which leaders of tomorrow will put under their pillows before sleeping.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant walkthrough of Bram Connolly's life and the lessons he's learned throughout his career in the military, and then some. This is a great read for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of leadership, courage, and attaining success.

[George Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, and insight how into a disciplined approach to all spheres of life, not just what you would find in the military, can help you along your path…whatever that may be.

[Dan McCowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful read, one I could have done with during a previous life role. Well done Bram and thank you for sharing.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened to stumble across this book and thought it was one of the best leadership books I've read. My favourite leadership lessons are from Shackleton, but now it might be Bram Connolly! This isn't your typical 'military person teaches you life lessons' book - it is relatable and applicable for people of all walks of life. I wrote a more detailed review and summary of my key takeaways here.