Book Review—Lessons from the Admiral by Mark C. Fava
Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders
The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Learning about leadership early pays dividends throughout life and work.
Executive summary
It takes a village. Notable figures with immense responsibilities fill positions of stature in the military, the public, and the private sectors. Yet behind the scenes, each has a team of doers and force multipliers who execute every important task with detail and urgency to enhance their leader’s effectiveness. These team members are meticulous, attentive, responsive, and accountable, and as a result, they are hand-selected.
Career success depends on various factors, such as work ethic, timing, and mentoring. In Lessons from the Admiral, the author describes how, in just under two years as the principal assistant to one of the Navy’s most important leaders, he gained insights and wisdom that many people do not acquire in an entire lifetime. He practiced skills that benefited him throughout his life in the Navy and as a corporate attorney.
In the course of nineteen independent yet complementary lessons, the author will take you on an adventurous journey around the world and back, through the air and on the ground, up and down an interstate, and in and out of snowy, cold weather to demonstrate the power of attentiveness when it matters most. This demonstration is so impactful that you’ll feel as though the lessons are unfolding right before your eyes.
The content
Mark C. Fava began his career as a naval officer after earning his commission through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of North Carolina in the mid-1980s. Commissioned into the Navy’s aviation community, he, like many of his peers, learned the concepts of aviation in Pensacola, Florida, known as “the cradle of naval aviation.” In Pensacola, he often ingested hot, chlorinated water, ate pine needles during land survival training, and spent many nights studying to earn the coveted gold aviation wings that he would proudly wear on his left chest for the remainder of his naval career.
After performing exceptionally well in his first operational assignment, he was competitively selected to serve as the Flag Aide to a Rear Admiral, Lower Half, also known as a one-star admiral. From the outset of his tour with the admiral, who managed the administrative and operational command of the Navy’s east coast patrol reconnaissance aircraft, he learned the significance of the principle of “ trust but verify. “
From the moment he began his role as an aide, he was guided. He was guided to lead, to succeed, and to learn. The admiral’s initial guidance provided clear boundaries for him to operate within, which he never forgot. It serves as a simple reminder that being brilliant at the basics never fails. He used those guiderails to win over not only the admiral but also the admiral’s staff members and family. So much so that when the admiral was promoted and asked to move, he wanted to take Mark with him — the ultimate testament to enduring performance and influence.
Nineteen lessons emerge from the book, yet countless additional ones linger in the background. The concepts of attention to detail, caring for the little things, personal recognition, self-care, accountability, and appearance matter- not just in the daily life of an admiral, but also in the life of any working person. The underlying theme of the book is that behind every great operation lies a series of actions carried out by those who care. Those who strive to perform superbly and those who aim to execute meticulously. More importantly, those who understand their boss inside and out.
Throughout the book, you’ll hear stories of humor, humility, and happiness regarding one’s accomplishments. For example, you’ll discover terms of endearment unique to the Navy, such as port, starboard, bulkheads, yardarms, pennants, snake eaters, loops, and more. In story after story, the author describes acts of creativity and brilliance needed to accomplish rather arcane tasks, which laymen may take for granted. You’ll be both surprised and amazed by what you read, including returning a nice rental car for a less fancy one and soiling a clean white military uniform in the least desirable parts of the uniform.
There’s no shortage of leadership lessons — each page glides with ease, detailing one after another from the perspective of a young navy lieutenant who served at the beck and call of a senior leader and was heavily rewarded for doing so successfully as a result.
Ten insightful quotes from the book
1. “You have to know the measuring stick to be successful.”
2. “Whether you like it or not, your success depends on meeting your boss’s expectations.”
3. “As a leader, those who are watching you are also watching the clock, and as a follower, your boss is paying attention to your ability to be on time and meet deadlines.”
4. “Be thoughtful about what you share.”
5. “You should know the facts better than your colleagues or opponent, whether in a conference room or the courtroom. You also need to know the facts better than your boss.”
6. “Always seek help quickly when you think you are in over your head; problems do not get better with time.”
7. “A leader should demonstrate that they can remain grounded under pressure and act logically when circumstances are not going as planned.”
8. “Bosses like to promote team players. Team players get invited to the meetings and become team leaders.”
9. “Your reputation over time depends on how well you keep your commitments.”
10. “Always be gracious when you get a win.”
The wrap-up: why you should read Lessons from the Admiral
If you’re anything like me, you relish sharing great discoveries when they come your way. Mark C. Fava’s Lessons from the Admiral is not only one of those remarkable discoveries but also a crucial reminder of why we should cherish what we learn. Over 30 years have passed since he served as an admiral’s aide, and yet, even as a senior corporate attorney at the largest aviation company in the world, those lessons and discoveries continue to hold significance today.
So, who is this book intended for? Well, for starters, if you’re in the Navy or considering joining, this book is for you. You will learn a great deal about Navy culture and traditions within its pages. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be an executive aide to an admiral, general, or Fortune 500 CEO, this book will provide insight into the challenges and significance of the role. If you’re starting your career, this book is filled with nuggets of wisdom, regardless of where you begin or in which industry you work. Everything you read here can support your career journey. If you’re mid-career and questioning why you’re not advancing, you’re sure to gain something valuable from the lessons outlined in this book.
And in an ironic twist, the lessons Mark C. Fava learned as an admiral’s aide also apply to those in positions to give back. The initial guidance he received at the start of his role as an aide is advice any senior leader or executive can and should provide to their teams. While not cutting edge, these are basic tenets of successful leadership philosophies. Principles such as being on time, protecting confidentiality, communicating honestly, being loyal, and using one’s position wisely are not only applicable in the military but also in every sector of business and the workplace. The overarching lesson is simple: Leaders owe their people actionable guidance, and Mark succinctly encapsulates this in Lessons from the Admiral.
About the book’s author
Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He is a prolific writer and entertaining speaker. Mark retired from the US Navy as a captain, commanding three units, including an aviation squadron. He has been a law firm partner and a corporate executive lawyer. He has written numerous articles, including “What I Learned from the Judge” in the SC Lawyer and “Steering Through a Crisis: Lawyers as Leaders” in The Washington Lawyer. He taught aviation law and legal writing as a law school adjunct professor. Mark was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and spent years in the Navy’s P-3 Orion chasing Soviet submarines. He has practiced law for over thirty years and is currently a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. When not working, reading, or writing, Mark enjoys life in the Low Country and appreciates a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer and a good oyster roast in the fall.
Follow Mark C. Fava on LinkedIn
Book details:
Publisher: Amplify Publishing (January 28, 2025)
ISBN-13: 979–8891382176
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Reading is one of my passions, and I hope you find this book review insightful! As a leader and educator, I love learning and sharing. With each book I read and summarize, I consider how its content can be applied to teams and organizations, searching for resonant elements such as impactful quotes while discerning who the ideal readers are. I seek opportunities to implement what I’ve learned from each book and share that knowledge to improve myself, my teams, colleagues, peers, and those pursuing personal and professional growth alongside me. I write these reviews partly because I love to read and write, but also to share leadership lessons.
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