Leadership Is Language

Leadership Is Language by L. David Marquet is a groundbreaking guide that reveals how the words leaders choose—and the ones they avoid—shape organizational culture, team performance, and long-term success. Drawing from his experience as a former U.S. Navy submarine commander, Marquet exposes outdated leadership scripts built on command-and-control language and replaces them with modern communication strategies that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and empowerment. Through compelling case studies and practical frameworks, the book teaches leaders how to use language that encourages participation over compliance, curiosity over certainty, and decision-making over direction, ultimately creating workplaces that are more resilient, innovative, and human-centered. Ideal for managers, executives, team leaders, and anyone seeking to elevate their influence, Leadership Is Language provides actionable tools to improve communication, build trust, reduce errors, and unleash the collective intelligence of teams.