Kyle McDowell’s “Begin With WE” outlines a leadership philosophy centered on prioritizing the team over the individual, built around ten guiding principles that promote accountability and collective ownership. Casting the self-focused mindset aside, high-performing organizations are created when individuals consistently act in the best interest of the team and the mission, putting “WE before me.” By adopting behaviors rooted in trust, transparency, and mutual respect, leaders can foster stronger collaboration and more effective execution.

The principles in this book have directly influenced the development of Hydra’s Standards of Performance and continue to shape our Culture of Excellence, reinforcing a unified approach to leadership and teamwork across the organization.