Sharing Success: Owning Failure Preparing to Command - Air Force

In this review of Sharing Success: Owning Failure Preparing to Command in the 21st Century Air Force, the book is recommended for current and aspiring Air Force leaders who want a practical critique of how command development is handled. The bottom line: the author argues that many selection systems prioritize testing individuals rather than preparing units to thrive, and this book outlines why expectations should be clearly set by those who hire commanders. Readers seeking a focused discussion about command preparation will find the perspective direct and grounded in service comparison.

Key Features

• Clear thesis: The book frames command as an organizational responsibility, explaining why leaders must provide explicit expectations for success rather than simply evaluate officers.
• Comparative perspective: It contrasts Air Force practice with sister services to show alternative preparation models, helping readers see where improvements can be made.
• Practical focus: The narrative emphasizes concrete changes in how subordinate commanders are prepared and assessed to improve unit performance.
• Leadership accountability: It places responsibility on those who hire commanders to both define success and prepare officers for the roles they will fill.
• Institutional critique: The book documents how an over-emphasis on individual testing has produced a shallow formal preparation program for command.

Who It's For

Sharing Success is best for active duty officers, senior noncommissioned officers, and military leaders involved in selection and development of commanders who want a frank evaluation of current command-preparation practices. It will also interest civilians or historians studying institutional leadership and organizational development within military services.

Readers looking for a step-by-step manual for tactical command tasks or a broad memoir of operational exploits should look elsewhere; this work centers on policy, expectations, and institutional reform rather than battlefield narrative or technical instruction.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a focused argument about shifting emphasis from testing individuals to enabling unit success.
• Uses comparison with sister services to illustrate alternative models of preparing commanders.
• Emphasizes the importance of clear expectations set by those who hire subordinate commanders.

Cons

• Limited in scope for readers seeking detailed procedural guidance for day-to-day command tasks.

Specifications

Title	Sharing Success: Owning Failure Preparing to Command in the 21st Century Air Force
Author	David L Goldfein
Subject	Air Force leadership and command preparation
Focus	Institutional critique and comparative service practices
Recommended audience	Current and aspiring commanders, leadership developers

Our Verdict

Sharing Success is a compact, thoughtful critique that will resonate with leaders who shape command policy and those preparing for command roles. Its value lies in reframing command as an organizational priority and urging clearer expectations from hiring leaders, making it a worthwhile read for professional development and institutional reform discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain how to prepare for command step by step?
The book focuses on institutional expectations and critique rather than a procedural, step-by-step command manual.

Who wrote this perspective on command preparation?
The author is David L Goldfein, presenting viewpoints on how the Air Force prepares and selects commanders.

Is the book intended for non-military readers?
While geared toward military leaders and professionals, civilians interested in organizational leadership and military institutions will find the analysis useful.