The 4 F's of Leadership: Lessons from the Battlefield to the Boardroom

The 4 F’s of Leadership is an examination of aspects of leadership that are rarely discussed or shared: Fatigue, Fear, Failure and Feelings. In this book, Brigadier General Thomas V. Draude, US Marine Corps, Retired, reflects on his over thirty years in the Marine Corps, to include three tours in Vietnam and service in Desert Storm. His lessons also include his twenty-five years of experience in leadership in the business and non-profit worlds.

Draude believes that successful leadership in both the military and civilian sectors requires an understanding of these four under-appreciated topics, which we should recognize as part of our human nature.

Readers will recognize how to deal with these elements that affect every leader, whether leading people on a battlefield or teams in an organization.


“The crucible of close combat strips the veneer off all who fight, yet the same character that enables leaders to thrive in that cruel test brings a deeper understanding of life’s broader journey. The Four F’s is a practical distillation of invaluable insights for any aspiring leader facing their own crucible.”
- General Jim Mattis, U.S. Marines (ret.) and 26th Secretary of Defense

“Do not be put off by the simple title. Contained within the book are gems of wisdom that will serve every leader or aspiring leader well. I would urge you to read it and then reread it. I promise it will be to your benefit.”
–W. E. Boomer, General, U.S.Marine Corps (ret), Commander of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command and I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

“This is a book that you cannot put down. Drawing on both combat and business, from Kuwait and Vietnam to insurance and philanthropy, General Draude reminds us that fatigue, fear, failure, and feelings are inescapable but also instructive – if we can surmount and learn from each. His lived moments make for compelling prescriptions for leading through all.”
-- Michael Useem, Faculty Director of the McNulty Leadership Program, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and author of The Edge: How 10 CEOs Learned to Lead

“A book on leadership that is worth reading! “The 4F’s of Leadership” is a book that I read without putting it down. It provides some leadership tools that are useful for any leader to use, whether in combat or in the corporate world. It is SUPERB!”
–Michael Myatt, Major General, U.S. Marine Corps (ret), Commander of the First Marine Division during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm