Jim Mattis on Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead

Recorded on August 21, 2019
Peter Robinson opens the show by asking General Jim Mattis, former secretary of defense, to explain the word “chaos” from the title of his new book, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. (“Chaos” is an abbreviation for “Colonel Has Another Outstanding Suggestion.”) Mattis notes that chaos has been a part and parcel of his life growing up, in the marines, and traveling the world.
Mattis further talks about how chaos has been introduced by organizations to disrupt order and keep opponents at the top of their game. But on the battlefield, it is better to introduce chaos early, in order to disrupt enemies’ plans and thus create problems for them and, ultimately, dominate them.
Robinson asks about what led Mattis to join the marines and why he decided to serve so long. Mattis explains his love for the country and the great people he met in the service. The fellow soldiers kept him going and inspired him to jot down lessons he had learned that could help future generations learn to serve and lead in better ways. Mattis notes that it is the very high quality of the people whom he met in the armed services that kept him in the military for his career. Mattis talks about how soldiers are brave, rambunctious, and selfless, and how he would rather have crummy jobs at times and work with great people than have a great job and not work with the outstanding people Mattis encountered in the military.
Additional resources:
www.wsj.com/articles/jim-matt...
www.cbsnews.com/news/gen-jim-...
www.pbs.org/newshour/show/jam...
www.npr.org/2019/09/02/756681...
For further information:
www.hoover.org/publications/u...
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[@Aaronisification]

“Years later looking back, I realized I had stumbled into a decision ... I’d rather have crummy jobs at times and work with great people than have a great job and not work with people as good as I experienced’’

[@rathernotsay8185]

Such an underrated channel. Really has some of the best minds on. General Mattis rarely if ever gives interviews.

[@MichaelLynMusic]

I could listen to General Mattis ALL Day Long...I only wish our leaders were readers like him...

[@00Grouse]

I wish a man like that could run for president. He sure would get my vote.

[@christopherrobbins9985]

Mattis is terrific and Robinson is a top notch interviewer.

[@williamjthompsonjr]

Ran into this guy at an Officers club in DC. He was a true gentleman. Patriots like him are few and far between.

[@MrViniparksingh]

Your depth in analysis, learning from history and military strategy makes you the great military commander of modern century! I wish, if you could have run for President!

[@Joe-bm4wx]

My god I wish I could be half as good of a leader as General Mattis is.

[@lockey820]

This man is a national treasure. So looking forward to the book. Thank you, Hoover Institute. General Mattis is such a profound philosophical warrior!!!!

[@jeffmrn]

This is the most important video I have seen on youtube. Every American should see this.

[@freeandfighting3069]

GOD Bless General Jim Mattis; he is the kind of Leader We The People need in our Military! FREE

[@robertpenoyer9998]

Thank you Gen. Mattis for sharing your experience and wisdom from a life well-lived.

[@pb5721]

I wish I could interview like Peter. He reminds of a majority of good interviewers, many from past decades who are almost extinct nowadays😢 Listening carefully to his guest and very well prepared.

[@roosteryear]

Best interview Gen Mattis has had recently. Long form is so much better for interviews. This is why old media is so troubled.

[@levibaer18]

As we’ve announced for a year now the date we pull out of Afghanistan, “don’t tell the enemy what you’re not going to do” rains true today.

[@edpritchard3001]

General Mattis is both a gentleman and warrior.. Class act

[@drum5ormore2]

I gravitate to these videos, less for whose being interviewed, and more for the enjoyment of Peter Robinson's exceptional ability as an interviewer.

[@echosixbravo8128]

I forget where I heard this but this discussion makes me think of it. “The mission of the military begins when diplomacy fails. The mission of diplomacy begins when the military succeeds.”

[@JM-bg2le]

A man of integrity and insight

[@StereoSpace]

Thank you for a lifetime of dedication and service to our country, it's people, and it's soldiers general.

[@unclejj13er75]

Just bought the book thanks to this outstanding talk...Inspired by General Mattis and his knowledge...our generation must learn these lessons fast and become the leaders we seek because that is the great lesson of self-government and freedom....we must do it ourselves.

[@heidymangione3913]

he is such a smart, honorable man, thanks for the wonderful interview. I could listen to him for hours, God protect him

[@retcheto]

I hope our country still continues to produce men like General Mattis

[@jeannewong3489]

Incredible interview! I’m in awe of this man and Thankful for his service, knowledge and experiences. Sharing all this in his book is a blessing for us!

[@jbudd032003]

Pleased and honored listening to you, General.

[@dnlgrhm]

I always loved the marines - my favorite uncle and others. The honorable general is yet another reason to count our blessings.

[@d.anguslee8943]

Thank you for doing this interview.

[@SkullKing11841]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you Peter and the team at Uncommon Knowledge.

[@FloatingWeeds2]

What a pleasure it was to learn about this honorable man's storied career.

[@carloslemus9018]

There is no one else on this earth that I have had the honor to call Sir. The ultimate and premier and elite leader.

[@garyriding6444]

I am fascinated and humbly grateful 4 both of your inputs especially General Mattis, he sounds like he's one of the greatest, and he probably is

[@timothyh7053]

Hearing Jim Mattis speak makes me want to just shut up and listen.

[@djdollase]

This is a leader. Love this guy.

[@carloscarpizo5845]

Thank you for the reminder to study more history and military history in particular.

[@MrCommentmaker]

Looking forward to reading this one.Great interview!

[@frankie6490]

Thank you - prayers

[@MrLawman82]

Great interview. I look forward to the book. Semper Fi.

[@TechShowdown]

Fantastic to watch, very inspiring!

[@lifehasbeats]

Loved this interview

[@UnluckyFatGuy]

Thank God Mattis is on our side.

[@UsedGames]

Thank you sir!

[@Avidcomp]

A Great man. Thank you Sir.

[@mpetry912]

very worthwhile interview with one of the great strategic thinkers of our time. thanks Peter!

[@jodada97]

Gotta love Jim Mattis

[@roberthodgins6584]

Excellent as always!

[@aldonunez5082]

Im reading this book right now and I'm working with a recruiter to enlist into the Marines right now

[@KarenTookTheKids364]

Peter is a gifted interviewer. Always gets the best out of geniuses like Sowell. Mattis is a genius in leadership. I'd love to know if he ever met Col. Hackworth. They seem cut from the same cloth.

[@Chosinn]

Robinson is such a great interviewer. He actually engages with his hosts and picks their brain of knowledge. He branches his questions based on the answers he gets and not just following a damn script. And as always, Mattis is a genius and I hope higher military leadership as well as young leaders such as myself are listening to what he's saying. He has such a valuable mind that us leaders can pick at to learn from his success and failures. Thank you for your service, sir. You are a legend and I'm thankful to have experienced meeting you in my lifetime.

[@JohnSWren]

Great closing question. Thanks.

[@zenrealestate]

Thank you! What an interesting interview! 🇺🇸

[@mr.c3928]

Thank you Hoover Institute!

[@philliphayden2727]

Great interview with a great leader. Best regards to you both!

[@stellarhope6954]

brilliant interview

[@Joe-gu6oe]

THE US MARINE READS!! I AM FASCINATED!!!! THANK YOU GENERAL MATTIS.

[@josephgoodrich]

Great interview.

[@ryannguyen7466]

A true definition of "fear the old man in the profession that men die young"

[@jimdeiner9293]

"This is why it's called 'Orders", Peter, it's not called 'Likes'". You don't have to like it... What an amazingly accomplished, capable and ultimately humble man. A tremendously great leader. No wonder he inspired soldiers to run into fire following him. And, I've written it several times before, Peter Robinson is the best interviewer I've come across! He's prepared, asks the right and insightful questions, and lets the interviewee talk. Wonderful! I can't wait to read Mattis' book.

[@koraktheape]

Bad ass! Wisdom and intelligence is hard to find. Mad dog is a legend!

[@rodrigov7838]

Excellent interview! Big mind!

[@friendlyone2706]

Not a surprise military academies require a deeper level of reading than other universities. Military academies know their students' lives depend on what they learn; it is unfortunate civilian universities have forgotten the same is true of their students.

[@OpaKnows]

Brilliant. Well done, sir. Well done.

[@IrishManJT]

Excellent.

[@marine0371]

TY HOOVERINSTATUTION ... You Folks interview the Best of Americas Intellectuals !

[@joncapps2753]

great interview

[@ChrisSMurphy1]

Salute Sir!

[@emiliakuna7333]

Succes la vînzarea cărții,va apreciez pentru itelingenta dumneavoastra! Semanati cu tatăl meu La fața! Respect și frumos!

[@cbourgc]

Amazing.

[@charlestrauscht3587]

My favorite disruptor. Wish he stayed on as sec of defense. Cheers general we the people miss your leadership.

[@Glurgi]

Very interesting conversation, would like to hear more.

[@synthiaraeathletics617]

great mattis speech. you can see that trump took mattis advice on all his foriegn policy and still sticks to it . kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXSnZq1-d7OKfZo

[@offcenterconcepthaus]

Hell, yeah. Good ep.

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

Would love to hear his thoughts about Theranos and any lessons he and his Hoover cohorts learned and have since applied.

[@upahtv]

he is good man, it shows from his smile, his eyes also smile.

[@RobRobertson1000]

What a gentleman!

[@jonathanvalverde]

Fascinating man.

[@SchuboxProductions]

Good discussion

[@c3aloha]

MATTIS 2020!!! We need a real warrior and moral leader

[@adeltalebpour4955]

Salute the General

[@adrianparker3116]

He's right, this is the greatest country on Earth.

[@shmeklevonduche9096]

What a mind.

[@asakim3507]

Someone should ask Mattis if he would consider running for President.

[@JameBlack]

Finnaly someone read the book

[@ayyray7868]

The Warrior Monk!

[@CORNPOP24]

I have always thought that reporters are more trouble. Everyone should have to serve in some aspect for four years. I have a 4F due to back problems but I wish somehow I could have been included.

[@harrykuheim6107]

I joined in 1970...also read Mat Best's new Book, Thank You for my Service for a look at Warriors Life

[@spacevertex]

Nice PR exercise, Mattis was always good at it, if not anything else!

[@tanakasatoshi6190]

His recent article at Wall Street Journal is excellent, too.

[@evangaudet]

My dog is named after him. When you're trying to scratch his belly he's Mad Dog Mattis. Today when he tore into our trash he was Bad Dog Mattis. Most of the time he's Potatoe Dog Mattis.

[@JDAL1334]

I honestly think he would be our country’s greatest President

[@chrisjones7594]

Your book is not in my town library sir. I am regretful I have not yet read it. I am trying to digest as much history as I can before I flush my quarry out.

[@sherrykoury5351]

I respect this man and am glad he choose not to go after Trump for money like so many in the past have. .

[@johndoe-ov2zx]

You wonder why the interviewer asked Mattis to show up if he intended to fill two thirds of the time with him reading Mattis to Mattis.Strange interview.

[@Daddy0os]

I couldn't stop thinking during this interview, "Now this is a man with character!" Mattis is great too.

[@w3td0g71]

I could listen to 4 hours of this but I'd blow my brains out if mattis went on JRE

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

Good insight into Falluja, as frustrating as it was. I always hate the "send a message" strategy. Too fluffy. I agree with Mattis: Find the perpetrators and kill them with respect to the killers of the civilian contractors.

[@81forever50]

Love you Brother, walk through hell, point the direction.

[@Athenaikos]

Jim Mattis is a model soldier. Glad to hear his thoughts.

[@melvinbutters2865]

Great conversation yet again. He should also go on the Joe Rogan podcast to discuss his book and some of the subjects covered today as it may reach the demographic that he's addressing and also sell some more books.

[@smootchie2257]

Say what you mean, General. WE know what you mean. Go ahead and let it out. Your book is basically “Thoughts and Prayers”

[@user-cb8rf2gr5m]

👍👍👍💖

[@mackdaddy1911a1]

❤️🇺🇸