---
title: "From permission to intent"
description: "Captain Marquet's method on the USS Santa Fe for moving decisions to the people who hold the information."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/from-permission-to-intent/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# From permission to intent

> Captain Marquet's method on the USS Santa Fe for moving decisions to the people who hold the information.

Simon Sinek's framework, from Leaders Eat Last, pp. 144 to 200.

Framework 5 of 6 from [Leaders Eat Last](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/index.md) by Simon Sinek. Category: Leadership.

## The steps

1. **Ban “permission to”.** Replace “request permission to submerge” with “I intend to submerge” so the person owns the action (p. 165).
2. **Keep the chain of command.** Leave the structure intact and change only the psychology of who decides (p. 165).
3. **Give direction and intent.** State where the ship is going and let others work out how to get there (p. 166).
4. **Share the three undelegable things.** Legal responsibilities, relationships and knowledge cannot be handed off, but they can be shared (p. 165).
5. **Hold people accountable for the mission.** Train people to be confident, then trust them with responsibility (p. 165).

## Where it comes from

From chapter: CHALLENGES AND TEMPTATION, pp. 144–200

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/from-permission-to-intent.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/from-permission-to-intent-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/from-permission-to-intent.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/leaders-eat-last/from-permission-to-intent-dark.png