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Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders
As the aide for a navy admiral more than thirty years ago, Mark C. Fava learned valuable lessons that were formative in his emergence as a thoughtful and successful leader. Now a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company and a career aviation lawyer, Mark is sharing his wisdom in this insightful and entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the successes and failures of a young naval flight officer working every day for the Admiral and how the Admiral reacted as a great leader.
Mark’s stories will inspire you to unlock your leadership potential by applying lessons that will propel your leadership journey forward. An insightful guide for mid-career managers, early career lawyers, and junior military officers who aspire to be promoted, this book is also a fun read for all military veterans who relished their time in uniform. The lessons Mark shares have timeless value. They are just as meaningful today as they were over thirty years ago and have been the keys to Mark’s promotions in both the military and the legal profession throughout his career.
Learning by observing both good and bad leaders is a solid strategy for professional development. The knowledge you gain becomes a treasure trove that guides you, the insight becomes part of your leadership fabric, and the observations shape you into the impactful leader you aspire to be. Putting the knowledge you gain from this book into practice will make you stand out among your peers as a high performer. You will gain an understanding of how executives think and what they appreciate. You will be organized, humble, and thoughtful—and you will be identified as an emerging leader.
Mark’s stories will inspire you to unlock your leadership potential by applying lessons that will propel your leadership journey forward. An insightful guide for mid-career managers, early career lawyers, and junior military officers who aspire to be promoted, this book is also a fun read for all military veterans who relished their time in uniform. The lessons Mark shares have timeless value. They are just as meaningful today as they were over thirty years ago and have been the keys to Mark’s promotions in both the military and the legal profession throughout his career.
Learning by observing both good and bad leaders is a solid strategy for professional development. The knowledge you gain becomes a treasure trove that guides you, the insight becomes part of your leadership fabric, and the observations shape you into the impactful leader you aspire to be. Putting the knowledge you gain from this book into practice will make you stand out among your peers as a high performer. You will gain an understanding of how executives think and what they appreciate. You will be organized, humble, and thoughtful—and you will be identified as an emerging leader.
168 pages, Hardcover
Published January 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
3169 people want to read
About the author
Mark C. Fava
1 book10 followersMark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He is a prolific writer and entertaining speaker. Mark retired from the US Navy as a captain having commanded three units, including an aviation squadron. He has been a law firm partner and a corporate executive lawyer. He has written numerous articles, including “What I Learned from the Judge” in the SC Lawyer and “Steering Through a Crisis: Lawyers as Leaders” in The Washington Lawyer. As a law school adjunct professor, he has also taught aviation law and legal writing.
Mark was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and spent years in the navy’s P-3 Orion chasing Soviet submarines. He has practiced law for more than thirty years and is currently a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company.
He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. When not working, reading, or writing, Mark enjoys life in the low country and appreciates a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer and a good oyster roast in the fall.
Mark was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and spent years in the navy’s P-3 Orion chasing Soviet submarines. He has practiced law for more than thirty years and is currently a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company.
He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. When not working, reading, or writing, Mark enjoys life in the low country and appreciates a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer and a good oyster roast in the fall.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 16, 2025
A solid and quick read on the importance of accountability and character as an employee, team mate, and leader. I found this book inspiring even as a civilian with no military experience, and would suggest it for a leadership book study in any setting. It reminded me of “It’s My Pleasure” regarding Chick fil A’s commitment to excellence and service.
February 2, 2025
I’m about a third of the way through this book and I have already picked up so much wisdom I can’t wait to pick it up again. Fava’s stories of growing his leadership skills while serving as an Admiral’s “Loop” are powerful yet easily digestible. This book “loops” you in with an easygoing and humble character portrait of the Admiral, while sharing a bit about the life and times of Fava, a seasoned and decorated leader, who served both our country and the business world with distinction. Buy it today and you’ll sail into new levels of leadership with each chapter you complete!
February 11, 2025
I recommend this highly to everyone with a boss. We all have bosses whether they be traditional, spousal, or customers. Mark’s method of studying his boss and anticipating his moves and needs is awesome advice. I immediately shared it with my son who is serving as a junior officer in the Marine Corps. He is the intended audience, but don’t let that deter your reading this book.
November 25, 2025
Great, short read that should be required reading for plebes at USNA, USMA, etc. and added to the CNO’s reading list. Any officer preparing for a flag staff tour should have this one on their bookshelf. That said, why four stars instead of five? First, I rarely give five stars in my reviews. Second, as far as leadership advice goes, CAPT Fava’s book is rudimentary. His advice is all absolutely correct and serves as a great review for a seasoned leader, but it is all surface-level pointers. If you’re looking for something deeper and more profound, then probably look elsewhere. However, there are no false pretenses; Fava states very clearly in the first few pages that his book aims primarily at junior officers, and in that endeavor this book excels.
Why did I love this book? First, I, too, am a Naval Flight Officer by trade (though not on the P-3 aircraft), thus I was able to identify with all the Navy-specific info in the book. Second, and more importantly, I also served 15 months in a flag aide job in 2019-20. It appears that not much about that job has changed in 30 years; CAPT Fava’s book brought back many fond memories of my time wearing the loop, as well as a few memories of thinking I might be fired tomorrow! I’m right there with Fava in saying that my aide job was the most professionally enriching of my Navy career thus far.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Great leadership pointers and even better sea stories throughout!
Why did I love this book? First, I, too, am a Naval Flight Officer by trade (though not on the P-3 aircraft), thus I was able to identify with all the Navy-specific info in the book. Second, and more importantly, I also served 15 months in a flag aide job in 2019-20. It appears that not much about that job has changed in 30 years; CAPT Fava’s book brought back many fond memories of my time wearing the loop, as well as a few memories of thinking I might be fired tomorrow! I’m right there with Fava in saying that my aide job was the most professionally enriching of my Navy career thus far.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Great leadership pointers and even better sea stories throughout!
February 18, 2025
Mark tells great stories from his time as an admiral's aide, and connects them to lessons that are applicable to all professionals (both new and experienced) and both military and civilian professions.
February 12, 2025
Mark C. Fava’s Lessons from the Admiral is a compelling blend of practical leadership insights that he learned by working with a 1 star Admiral. This makes it an essential read for professionals in any industry. Drawing from his extensive experience in the Navy and the corporate world, Fava masterfully weaves stories with timeless leadership lessons, offering readers a fresh perspective on decision-making, resilience, and leading with integrity. His storytelling is engaging, and the lessons are actionable, making this book not just a collection of anecdotes but a valuable guide for those seeking to navigate the complexities of leadership.
What sets this book apart is its ability to translate day-to-day military principles into universally applicable leadership strategies. Whether discussing crisis management, accountability, or teamwork, Fava’s insights are both thought-provoking and practical. His writing strikes the perfect balance between entertaining storytelling and insightful takeaways, ensuring readers walk away with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to lead. Lessons from the Admiral is a must-read for anyone looking to sharpen their leadership skills with wisdom forged through real-world experience.
What sets this book apart is its ability to translate day-to-day military principles into universally applicable leadership strategies. Whether discussing crisis management, accountability, or teamwork, Fava’s insights are both thought-provoking and practical. His writing strikes the perfect balance between entertaining storytelling and insightful takeaways, ensuring readers walk away with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to lead. Lessons from the Admiral is a must-read for anyone looking to sharpen their leadership skills with wisdom forged through real-world experience.
February 10, 2025
Mark Fava’s 'Lessons from the Admiral' is a collection of experiences and insights resulting from service as an admiral’s aide. The work contributes something new to existing leadership literature; namely, it underscores and exemplifies the importance of knowing one’s boss through and through. At its core, the book is a call to setting and achieving high leadership standards.
Fava demonstrates through intricate examples the excellence inherent in two-way leadership communication. He laudably extends his lessons as an aide into subsequent career endeavors. By extension, 'Lessons from the Admiral' invites the reader to learn these many lessons second-hand and apply them to his, her, or their own development. The book documents a leader’s internal commitment to excellence, and it does so with a remarkable level of professional tact. Highly recommended.
Fava demonstrates through intricate examples the excellence inherent in two-way leadership communication. He laudably extends his lessons as an aide into subsequent career endeavors. By extension, 'Lessons from the Admiral' invites the reader to learn these many lessons second-hand and apply them to his, her, or their own development. The book documents a leader’s internal commitment to excellence, and it does so with a remarkable level of professional tact. Highly recommended.
February 9, 2025
Excellent and Enjoyable. Books on leadership usually provide useful content. This one is also a good story. Readers grow to like the characters and see the leadership lessons in each story. This is a great book.
September 15, 2025
Lessons from the Admiral by Mark Fava is a book I highly recommend.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Mark for many years and have witnessed firsthand how he not only teaches these timeless principles but lives them out daily. He is a role model in every sense, leading with humility, wisdom, and integrity.
In this powerful book, Mark weaves together leadership lessons and real world wisdom in a way that is both practical and deeply inspiring. His unique perspective as a Navy veteran and business leader offers invaluable insights on decision making, resilience, and navigating challenges with clarity and courage.
For anyone pursuing growth as a leader, this is a must read.
Congratulations Mark on such an impactful work. I’m grateful not only to have learned from this book, but to continue learning from you.
#Leadership #LessonsFromTheAdmiral #GrowthMindset #Resilience
Jere Stille
I’ve had the privilege of working with Mark for many years and have witnessed firsthand how he not only teaches these timeless principles but lives them out daily. He is a role model in every sense, leading with humility, wisdom, and integrity.
In this powerful book, Mark weaves together leadership lessons and real world wisdom in a way that is both practical and deeply inspiring. His unique perspective as a Navy veteran and business leader offers invaluable insights on decision making, resilience, and navigating challenges with clarity and courage.
For anyone pursuing growth as a leader, this is a must read.
Congratulations Mark on such an impactful work. I’m grateful not only to have learned from this book, but to continue learning from you.
#Leadership #LessonsFromTheAdmiral #GrowthMindset #Resilience
Jere Stille
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews