THE GOUGE

THE GOUGE offers a mindset and a roadmap to success in leadership, entrepreneurship, family, and community which has already changed hundreds of thousands of lives, but one which remains largely unshared outside of its community of origin.

A surprisingly humanist, storytelling-forward Principles or 12 Rules for Life married with Sea Stories authored by the highly decorated (and thoughtful, and super-charismatic) professional soldier Vice Admiral Bob Harward. THE GOUGE: HOW TO BE SMART THAN THE SITUATION YOU ARE IN offers a mindset and a roadmap to success in leadership, entrepreneurship, family, and community which has already changed hundreds of thousands of lives, but one which remains largely unshared outside of its community of origin.

Bob's reason for writing his why this book, why now? is much more simple: he is already known for the consideration he placed on the greater impact of any military campaign he participated in, and for never having lost a soldier, sailor or SEAL he personally put in harm's way, but Bob has since observed that many servicepeople don't fare as well in their transitions to civilian life. Where they had proudly worked with purpose while in the armed forces, it is common for former military personnel to lose sight of personal purpose once "out," with a meaningful percentage succumbing to depression and worse. Just as tragic are those veterans who follow darkness elsewhere into groups that choose to isolation and extremist leadership over expanding communities inside and outside of national borders. In other words, Bob feels that he brings his servicemen and women home, but then loses them when they lose sight of The Gouge. Reminding them and us all that our higher purpose comes from embracing a collective obligation to care for one another and identifying this as a key driver of personal success, is at the heart of Bob's message in this project.

Robert is an accomplished business person, a network media personality, a decorated scholar and teacher, a devoted and active mentor to thousands, and a professional athlete who continues to set records into his sixties. More than anything, Bob is that rare kind of leader who is also a humanist both to his fellow servicepeople and to those he faced in battle. This nuance and generosity of spirit is what makes his story and his advice so meaningful and topical.