This was an interesting book to read, with self-help advice coming from a retired SEAL with all his background and expertise. It is very anecdotal but contains some interesting ideas and is broken down into easily digestible chapters. I also found that the quotes at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch. ~ Kira Knight (Reviewer), Netgalley

For all those that are unaware of the author himself, well, Marty Strong is an accomplished leader and an active corporate CEO and Chief Strategist. He is was a member of the elite NAVY SEAL Teams for twenty years, leading combat missions and helping to design and test new special operations capabilities. Hence why is was well qualified to write this series of books in the first place. Furthermore, what you get in this new book, let alone the entire series, are golden nuggets about life and, amongst other things, how to defeat the fear of failure in life and business, how to lead through crisis and chaos, be preparing for the worst – in advance; how to stay engaged, motivated, and focused even during the worst times; how to think big, go big, and engineer a new reality for your organization; and even how to shed the burdens of intellectual obedience and compliance to reignite applied creativity. Always talking, writing from experience, Marty openly encourages us to enter into free thought, experimentation, and creativity, which are of paramount importance in today’s fast-changing business environments. Indeed, he writes in a manner that is thoroughly engaging, where his personal experiences begin unfolding right before your very eyes, his commutative skills both bold and inspiring, his narrative manner absorbing and yet light enough not to be overwhelming or confusingly sculpted. ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Based on the title alone, I was eager to read an advance copy of Be Different: How Navy SEALs and Entrepreneurs Bend, Break, or Ignore the Rules to Get Results!, which is set for release on December 1, 2024. This is the third instalment in Marty Strong's nonfiction series, following Be Visionary and Be Nimble, which are now on my reading list. Though I have no military background, I thoroughly enjoyed the lessons shared by this former Navy SEAL turned entrepreneur. The analogies drawn are clear and relevant to anyone navigating corporate culture today, especially those striving to foster innovation without losing sight of execution. The ideal reader for this book is someone frustrated with the status quo that has led to stagnation in their company’s culture and strategy. This book delivers if you’re looking for advice on influencing senior leadership to loosen their risk-averse grip on outdated rules and procedures. At its core, Be Different drives home a key lesson: We need to think and act differently. The author encourages readers to embrace intellectual disobedience—questioning norms, traditions, and rules that stifle creativity and bold action. Success, he argues, lies in the willingness to challenge the status quo, no matter what "winning" looks like in your context. Some of the most potent themes include: - Humility and curiosity as the foundation of innovation: The author emphasizes that we must first acknowledge what we don’t know. This intellectual humility paves the way for curiosity, allowing us to explore ideas beyond the familiar and push boundaries. - The value of simple, flexible planning: Complex plans are fragile and prone to failure in real-world conditions. Instead, we should focus on flexible strategies that adapt to variables we can’t control, enabling more effective execution. The book also explores breaking the cycle of obedience, the power of collaboration and diverse thought, and the importance of having a bias toward action. A convenient takeaway is the author's guidance on challenging the status quo productively—without blindly accepting outdated processes or rules. Acting boldly, he warns, is crucial. Waiting too long leads to “comfortable inaction” and missed opportunities. In closing, this book encourages the divergent thinker, who often feels isolated or misunderstood. It reminds you to stay the course and manage the inevitable backlash of being an innovator. By fostering self-awareness and development, you’ll weather the resistance, attract allies, and ultimately achieve the breakthroughs you seek. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Jenn Reid (Reviewer), Netgalley

Disruptive and divergent thinking become key points for how to be different from others, and this is a very good lesson to start. Thanks to Marty for his leadership experience for many years, which made this book. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Yakub Tirza (Educator), Netgalley

In my almost 15 years at McKinsey, now leading McKinsey’s research and several programs related to skills, I am fully convinced that what a person knows or how capable a person is have diminishing importance compared to how they think and behave. Once existing Artificial Intelligence is adopted at scale, most of the work left will be non-routine. Addressing climate change will require unleashing a giant wave of innovation and rapid adoption of new technologies. In Be Different, Marty helps us develop one of the most important mindsets in this age where we are in dire need of innovation: unconventional thinking. Among my favorite parts of Be Different is the process to overcome this problem and unlock unconventional thinking. The first step is intellectual humility: I was once given the feedback of suffering from “expert-itis” and this first step therefore particularly resonates with me. Without humility we can’t let in insights that are far from what we already know. The second step: intellectual curiosity. If humility allows the open mind, then curiosity can lead to the exploration of new ideas, the ability to go much further than “been there, done that.” Only as a third step comes intellectual creativity, which although easier at a young age, Marty explains throughout the book how to unlock it again at any age.   ~ Marco Dondi, Successful Author and Expert Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company, Geneva Switzerland

Be Different is Marty Strong’s third treatise on leadership. This work completes his high impact trinity of successful books on leadership, strategy, and innovation. When I read Marty’s first book, Be Nimble, I found myself not only nodding my head in agreement with his concepts but was eager to immediately put his wisdom into motion within my company. I got to know Marty personally over time, he even appeared several times as a guest on my Elevate Your Leadership podcast. I’ve benefitted as a CEO from his generous mentorship and insightful business wisdom. In early 2023, it was with high expectations that I ordered Be Visionary, Marty’s second book, When I began to read this second book on vision and strategy, I was once again energized by Marty’s straightforward, conversational, and often funny narratives, related what he learned after twenty years in the SEAL Teams, and twenty plus years leading commercial businesses. Be Different reminds me of the creativity and innovation I witnessed in my 26 years as a Navy Special Operations Bomb Technician, a profession where we always had to get it right. Challenging the status quo is a necessary part of evolution in business and in life. Be Different provides the reader with the methods and tools to defuse their “business bombs” and advance their creative initiatives in an unconventional and innovative manner. ~ Robert Pizzini, U.S. Navy Special Operations Veteran, CEO, and Bestselling Author of Elevate Your Leadership

Marty Strong leads, trains, and engages like a commander focused on the horizon, the objective, and the welfare of his people. When I read Be Nimble, followed by Be Visionary, I thought I was back in the military training senior commanders how to think not only tactically but strategically. To exercise judgment, and to lead. Marty writes in such a way that you see his experience unfold right in front of you, here and now, communicated in such a careful narrative manner you can easily absorb his insights and make them your own. Marty's skills, passion, and empathy for others are a gift. I read his works and understand why those who were trained by him and served with him in the military and in corporate business, have remained close to him ever since, friends for life. I encourage and invite everyone to join the ranks and become inspired by reading Marty’s door-opening books. ~ Michael Steiner, Executive Director, BEST Robotics, Inc.

Be Different is not written from a point of recklessness and disregard for habits, incrementalism, and rules - quite the opposite. This book is constantly treading between following, bending, ignoring, and making new rules, between baby steps and wild leaps. And the five steps to change ourselves into thinking differently attest to Marty’s focus on balance: a self-inventory on what is blocking us; self-discipline; self-awareness; self-esteem; and self-lessness. If you think you are too unconventional or insufficiently creative, Be Different will still give you practical help in leading an innovative self, teams, and organizations. ~ Marco Dondi, Successful Author and Expert Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company, Geneva Switzerland