---
title: "Leading up and down the chain"
description: "Take responsibility for everyone in your world, bosses included."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/leading-up-and-down-the-chain/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Leading up and down the chain

> Take responsibility for everyone in your world, bosses included.

Jocko Willink and Leif Babin's framework, from Extreme Ownership, pp. 183 to 261.

Framework 5 of 6 from [Extreme Ownership](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/index.md) by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Category: Lead generation.

## The steps

1. **Own everyone in your world.** Lead subordinates and superiors alike.
2. **Look in the mirror first.** If someone is not doing what you need, ask what you can do to enable it.
3. **Tell the boss what you will do.** Do not ask what you should do.
4. **Push situational awareness.** Give leaders the information they need to decide and support you.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: III. Sustaining Victory, pp. 183–261

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/leading-up-and-down-the-chain.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/leading-up-and-down-the-chain-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/leading-up-and-down-the-chain.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/extreme-ownership/leading-up-and-down-the-chain-dark.png