Willink’s leadership philosophy, as expounded in Leadership Strategy and Tactics, is molded by his tenure as a Navy SEAL, especially during the Iraq War. Grasping the historical setting of the Iraq War and its ramifications on military leadership is essential to fully apprehending Willink’s insights.

The Iraq War, which started in 2003, marked a watershed moment in contemporary military history. It posed unique trials regarding urban warfare, counterinsurgency, and the application of technology in armed conflicts. There was a sea change in military leadership and tactics. The new warfare propelled leaders like Willink to adjust swiftly to ever-shifting circumstances, often entailing complex, ethically perplexing dilemmas that examined decision-making skills and ethical compasses. The war required a style of leadership that was pliable, responsive, and cognizant of the human aspects of military engagements.

Willink’s service in Iraq coincided with a pivotal phase in this conflict. His experiences there, particularly in locales like Ramadi, an epicenter of insurgency, sculpted his appreciation for the subtleties of leadership in high-stakes, high-pressure scenarios. He absorbed the significance of Decentralized Command, where leaders at assorted ranks were endowed with the authority to make pivotal judgments expeditiously.