When you picture a Marine with seven combat tours, the image that comes to mind is probably rigid command and barked orders. Yet, retired Marine Scott Stalker, author of Left of Leadership, has built his entire philosophy around something different: preparation, humility, and care for people.
His story is filled with lessons that reach far beyond the military. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, writing a book, or just navigating everyday challenges, his approach is practical, human, and surprisingly relatable.
1. Growth Often Starts at Rock Bottom
Stalker’s career didn’t begin with glory. In fact, at Marine Corps intelligence school, he finished “dead last.” One superior told him bluntly that he wouldn’t last more than four years. That failure could have ended his career, but instead it became the turning point.
“If I wanted to do more, I had to become more. And that meant preparation.”
It’s a reminder that our most painful setbacks often provide the soil where real growth begins. Failure doesn’t have to define you. It can shape you into someone stronger, more disciplined, and more ready for what comes next.
2. Success Is Determined Before the Big Moment
In the military, most people think of the “boom”—the moment of battle, the high-stakes decision. But Stalker argues that outcomes are decided long before then. That’s why he called his book Left of Leadership.
“The best time to prepare for Monday is Sunday night.”
Success, he explains, happens in the unglamorous prep: double-checking gear, running through scenarios, asking hard questions in advance. The same is true in daily life. What looks like quick, decisive action in the moment is really the result of preparation that no one else sees.
3. Stress Is a Gift
Most of us treat stress as the enemy. Stalker flips that view on its head. As a former powerlifter, he compares stress to weight on a barbell. You only grow stronger by adding more.
“Stress is a gift. Without it, there’s no growth. No adaptation, no improvement.”
He even described writing his book as a form of chosen stress. It was hard, uncomfortable, and demanding, but that pressure forged new strength. Instead of running from stress, Stalker suggests leaning into it in measured ways, using it as training for the unexpected challenges to come.
4. Trust and Love Outperform Authority
Rank may keep order in the military, but Stalker insists real leadership has nothing to do with titles. It’s about trust—and, perhaps surprisingly, about love.
“People aren’t going to follow you just because you bark orders. They’ll follow you because you inspire them… because you genuinely love them.”
True influence comes from building relationships, showing care, and investing in people. Teams, families, and communities thrive when they feel seen, supported, and valued. Authority might demand compliance, but trust creates loyalty.
5. Be the Original You
In a world full of comparisons, Stalker offers one of his simplest but most powerful pieces of advice: authenticity beats imitation.
“Don’t try to be the next David Goggins, the next Jocko Willink… Don’t try to be the next Scott Stalker. Be the original you.”
He never set out to write the next bestselling military memoir. He wrote his book because he had a message he believed in. That same mindset applies anywhere… at work, in creative projects, or in daily life. Your experience, your voice, and your perspective are your greatest assets.
Prequel to Success
Scott Stalker’s lessons remind us that leadership isn’t about the dramatic moment or the title you hold. It’s about what happens beforehand… the preparation, the resilience, the willingness to embrace stress, and the authenticity to lead with care.
These are not just military lessons. They’re lessons for anyone who wants to grow, to influence others, or to succeed in the work that matters most.
So the real question becomes: What preparation are you doing today that will serve as the prequel to your next success story?
📚 Left of Leadership is available now wherever books are sold.
🎧 Hear the full conversation with Scott Stalker on The Munn Avenue Muse podcast.
If you would like to publish your book or your audiobook (or are just dreaming about it), let the MunnAvenuePress.com team help make your dream a reality.
Happy Writing! Charlie Levin, Publisher & Founder
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