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Topgun's Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit
Learn how to be a leader in your own life and career with expert advice from one of the Navy's elite TOPGUN instructors.
During a twenty-year career in uniform, Guy Snodgrass became one of the most skilled fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy, commanding combat jets over some of the most dangerous war zones in the world -- and he did it all using the lessons he learned at the Navy's Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
The real-life inspiration for the blockbuster films Top Gun and Top Maverick , the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School trains the top one percent of our nation's fighter pilots. Over the course of twelve weeks, these pilots are drilled on aerial tactics, combat, and skills required to win in any organization. Ordinary people are transformed into world-class leaders. Pilots, like Commander Snodgrass, who remain on staff as TOPGUN instructors, are held to even higher and more demanding standards.
In TOPGUN's Top 10 , Commander Snodgrass distills some of the most important lessons he's learned and taught over the course of his career into a taut, engaging book for readers of all ages and experience levels. It's the perfect gift for anyone looking to change careers, excel in the workplace, or find their way in the world after college graduation. Smart, practical, and direct, Snodgrass's account of real TOPGUN experience will inspire a new generation of leaders.
During a twenty-year career in uniform, Guy Snodgrass became one of the most skilled fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy, commanding combat jets over some of the most dangerous war zones in the world -- and he did it all using the lessons he learned at the Navy's Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
The real-life inspiration for the blockbuster films Top Gun and Top Maverick , the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School trains the top one percent of our nation's fighter pilots. Over the course of twelve weeks, these pilots are drilled on aerial tactics, combat, and skills required to win in any organization. Ordinary people are transformed into world-class leaders. Pilots, like Commander Snodgrass, who remain on staff as TOPGUN instructors, are held to even higher and more demanding standards.
In TOPGUN's Top 10 , Commander Snodgrass distills some of the most important lessons he's learned and taught over the course of his career into a taut, engaging book for readers of all ages and experience levels. It's the perfect gift for anyone looking to change careers, excel in the workplace, or find their way in the world after college graduation. Smart, practical, and direct, Snodgrass's account of real TOPGUN experience will inspire a new generation of leaders.
157 pages, Hardcover
Published September 15, 2020
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892 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 20, 2020
I got a preview copy from Netgalley and am just like... WOW. This book is incredibly well written with awesome stories inside the REAL TopGun school, stories of command responsibility and stories of networking in the Pentagon. I read this book in an afternoon, it was so easy to understand. The photographs were nice, but I wish they were in living color.
I also learned a few life & leadership lessons. One of which being the importance of not burying the lead in a communication but putting the lead right up at top. I normally put my bottom line at the bottom and need to go the other way. Another was the need to empathize and re-empathize in a brief what the objectives are beforehand. I also need to be a better networker and how to prioritize tasks better.
I also learned a few life & leadership lessons. One of which being the importance of not burying the lead in a communication but putting the lead right up at top. I normally put my bottom line at the bottom and need to go the other way. Another was the need to empathize and re-empathize in a brief what the objectives are beforehand. I also need to be a better networker and how to prioritize tasks better.
May 3, 2023
I have to admit I was very tired this morning when I got up this morning at the ungodly hour of 5am to embark on my two hour commute. As I strolled the train station waiting to embark the iron horse (NJ transit), I had an epiphany to listen to an audiobook. I dip in an out of podcasts and never really picked up on audio books, but nevertheless wanted to use my commute efficiently.
With that said, I downloaded TOPGUN'S TOP 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit by Guy Snodgrass. Guy Snodgrass (born June 20, 1976) is a retired American naval aviator, TOPGUN graduate and instructor, who served as Jim Mattis's speechwriter and chief of communications during his time as Secretary of Defense.
This book is fairly concise and shed light on some of leadership principles that Mr. Snodgrass learnt as a Top Gun instructor. These principles can also be applied to the leadership roles.
Listed below is a snippet of various principles:
1. Focus on talent, passion and personality
2. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy
3. Stay calm under pressure
4. Do the right thing even when no one is looking
5. Anticipate problems
6. Don’t confuse activity with progress
7. Never wait to make a difference
8. Always have a wingman
9. Put the bottom line up front
10. Don’t wait to make a friend until you need one
I also learnt about President Eisenhower’s matrix on prioritization and liked it so much that I ended up asking a question focusing on the concept in an interview to the potential candidates.
What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.
-Dwight Eisenhower
P.S. Mr Snodgrass’s calming voice made it an incredible audiobook to listen to.
With that said, I downloaded TOPGUN'S TOP 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit by Guy Snodgrass. Guy Snodgrass (born June 20, 1976) is a retired American naval aviator, TOPGUN graduate and instructor, who served as Jim Mattis's speechwriter and chief of communications during his time as Secretary of Defense.
This book is fairly concise and shed light on some of leadership principles that Mr. Snodgrass learnt as a Top Gun instructor. These principles can also be applied to the leadership roles.
Listed below is a snippet of various principles:
1. Focus on talent, passion and personality
2. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy
3. Stay calm under pressure
4. Do the right thing even when no one is looking
5. Anticipate problems
6. Don’t confuse activity with progress
7. Never wait to make a difference
8. Always have a wingman
9. Put the bottom line up front
10. Don’t wait to make a friend until you need one
I also learnt about President Eisenhower’s matrix on prioritization and liked it so much that I ended up asking a question focusing on the concept in an interview to the potential candidates.
What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.
-Dwight Eisenhower
P.S. Mr Snodgrass’s calming voice made it an incredible audiobook to listen to.
July 27, 2021
Surprisingly good read. Short and to the point anecdotal lead look at the structure of top gun school and how they achieve superior outcomes.
September 28, 2021
A concise to the point book on simple easy to follow advice on what effective leadership is about. Coming from the best of our best a Top Gun instructor and combat aviator it is advice well heeded. These men and women are under constant pressure and danger in flying their missions and what they learn very few of us have been close to in the conditions.
He takes us through ten important points and illustrates in the context of what he experienced and saw through his years of testing and reacting. Nothing comes easy in these situations and that is one of the big keys in forging the answers to what works and what doesn't. Simple as that.
A pleasure to read and absorb this knowledge. Also an honor to be tutored by a heroic individual who along with our first responders are as good as it gets in this great country of ours.
He takes us through ten important points and illustrates in the context of what he experienced and saw through his years of testing and reacting. Nothing comes easy in these situations and that is one of the big keys in forging the answers to what works and what doesn't. Simple as that.
A pleasure to read and absorb this knowledge. Also an honor to be tutored by a heroic individual who along with our first responders are as good as it gets in this great country of ours.
May 8, 2021
Really good book which I enjoyed much more for the intensive peeks into the world of TOPGUN and 'dogfighting' as they call it. Much of the leadership lessons won't be news to anyone who follows productivity gurus like Robin Sharma, but the manner in which these are presented here, illustrated through the TOPGUN recollections and the author's career, really make for a fresh setting and backdrop. Even better, the author practices what he preaches - at the start of every chapter is the leadership lesson he wants his audience to come away with, aka don't bury the lead as he points out in one such lesson.
Really entertaining and with a cool background of leadership and its skills woven through
Really entertaining and with a cool background of leadership and its skills woven through
October 21, 2020
This is a highly enjoyable short book. We listened to this on a family trip to Newport, thanks to my wife's good planning. Commander Snodgrass' book is the tactical complement to Secretary Mattis' strategic execution outlook: while Mattis dissects how executive management works at multiple delegation levels, Snodgrass discusses 10 tactics that paid off in his career, and makes the point coloring them with personal stories.
January 23, 2022
Very clearly and simply written book with key self-development and leadership characteristics. Written in a classic military BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) manner with engaging real world examples, this is an easy read. Better yet, the thoughts are ones that you can engage with your own life starting today.
A quick read with solid techniques this is a great entry level read for those new to leadership studies or a refresher to those that have been working leadership roles already.
A quick read with solid techniques this is a great entry level read for those new to leadership studies or a refresher to those that have been working leadership roles already.
July 29, 2022
Book sounded very good, but the substantive content was interesting but far from profound. Some good insights and examples of the lessons that he describes, but the headlines like "Don't Confuse Activity with Progress" and "Anticipate Problems" aren't original or that life-changing. At best, the book is a good reminder of some things we've learned the hard way or from other sources, and help keep them front of mind.
July 7, 2024
Who knew you could learn lessons about leadership from a Top Gun aviator that can be applicable in every day scenarios? While it was short, it was well written and I really want a physical copy to annotate. A lot of the lessons are basic and practical, but the stories he adds to make his points were compelling. I, personally, enjoy stories about military aviation, but I think anyone looking for books on leadership can appreciate this book.
March 30, 2021
A nice little book (literally) with some good business/life lessons. Nothing new here from the lessons themselves if you've been in the workforce for a few years, but the Topgun setting and many photographs make it worth a look. Interesting insight into how a small, elite part of the military works (extreme memorization, division of labor, etc).
January 7, 2023
A good book of solid, practical leadership advice, sprinkled with really interesting information about life as a Navy pilot and instructor in TOPGUN's training program. Easy to read; would recommend to anyone who likes leadership books or is interested in learning more about military fighter pilots and aviation. Hardback would make a good Father's Day or Christmas gift.
January 30, 2023
A quick and easy read with good leadership points. I was able to read through in one evening. The author uses gripping story telling to illustrate points and leadership traits. I found it interesting and educational. The stories from his days at TopGun are fascinating and give good lessons in leadership.
January 18, 2026
This was my second read of the book and the information written within the book applied just as much the second time as the first time. I got more out of it the second time around asI was reading in depth rather than just reading to finish it. All 10 leadership lessons can be applied in any lifestyle or career path, it just takes a person willing to step up and learn from their own experiences.
November 3, 2020
Very short book with basic leadership advice. Even so, I couldn’t put it down.
May 28, 2022
Short, direct, helpful
September 24, 2024
Basic and trite "lessons" woven around mildly entertaining flyboy anecdotes.
November 12, 2025
Inspirational
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews