In the heat of the American Civil War, back in 1864, Union Admiral David Farragut led his fleet into Mobile Bay, Alabama. The mission was clear—capture Fort Morgan and cut off Confederate supply lines. But the waters were rigged with tethered explosives known as “torpedoes” (what we now call mines).
As the fleet pushed forward, one Union ship struck a torpedo and began to sink. Panic swept across the fleet. Ships began to hesitate and pull back.
That’s when Admiral Farragut issued one of the boldest commands in naval history:
“Damn the torpedoes. Full steam ahead.”
That order changed the course of the battle—and arguably, the war itself.
Leadership Requires Unwavering Courage
In life and in business, torpedoes come in many forms: fear, doubt, setbacks, bad press, financial strain, lost clients, internal conflict. They can stop you in your tracks if you let them.
But leaders are not in the business of retreat.
They are in the business of advancing.
Admiral Farragut showed what real leadership looks like—unshaken courage in the face of chaos. Not recklessness, but conviction. And today, that kind of courage is just as necessary.
Every organization, every team, every business owner faces moments when retreat feels easier. But if you’re leading others, you don’t have the luxury of hesitation.
You must choose to advance.
The Three Essential Leadership Attributes
In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill outlined 11 essential attributes of leadership. Today, let’s focus on three:
1. Unwavering Courage
Not battlefield courage, but the courage to speak up. To take action. To challenge your team. To risk failure. To trust your gut. Without courage, no other leadership skill holds weight.
2. Definiteness of Decision
Decisiveness is a leadership superpower. Indecision is one of the top causes of failure. You must be able to choose, commit, and act. Leaders who wait for perfect information or universal agreement often miss their moment.
3. Willingness to Assume Full Responsibility
When things go right, celebrate your team.
When things go wrong, own it.
That’s leadership. Blame breaks trust. Ownership builds it.
You May Not Face Torpedoes, But You Will Face Adversity
Your business may not be under fire, but your leadership will be tested.
- Will you freeze in uncertainty?
- Will you wait for a guarantee?
- Or will you advance—cautiously, strategically, but boldly?
Leaders do not ignore danger. They recognize it, and they lead anyway.
“Full steam ahead” is not about recklessness.
It’s about making the courageous choice in the face of resistance.
It’s about showing your team what bold leadership looks like.
Because when the leader advances, the team follows.
Final Thoughts
History favors the bold.
Not the reckless. Not the arrogant. But the bold—the ones willing to act when others pause.
This week, ask yourself:
- Where are you hesitating?
- What decision needs to be made?
- What responsibility are you avoiding?
Answer those—and then move.
Lead like a lion. Your team will follow.
Coach Michael