---
title: "Decentralized Command"
description: "Split a large team into small groups with leaders who act within clear limits."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/decentralized-command/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Decentralized Command

> Split a large team into small groups with leaders who act within clear limits.

Jocko Willink and Leif Babin's framework, from Extreme Ownership, pp. 108 to 182.

Framework 2 of 6 from [Extreme Ownership](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/index.md) by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Category: Hiring and teams.

## The steps

1. **Break the team into groups of four to six.** Give each group a designated leader.
2. **Share the Commander's Intent.** Every leader understands the mission and the why.
3. **Set the left and right limits.** Define what each junior leader may decide alone.
4. **Tell the boss what you will do.** Juniors state the action they will take and skip asking what to do.
5. **Push information both ways.** Pass situational awareness up and down the chain.
6. **Build trust and back the decision.** Seniors support decisions made in pursuit of the objective.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: II. Laws of Combat, pp. 108–182

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/decentralized-command.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/decentralized-command-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/decentralized-command.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/decentralized-command-dark.png