Jon B. Becker distills lessons from a career working alongside elite teams to give a practical blueprint for building high-performance cultures
APRIL 1, 2026 | LOS ANGELES, CA — In Culture First: 9 Leadership Practices That Build Elite Teams, released today on Amazon, Jon B. Becker draws on his extensive career advising and equipping elite tactical units worldwide to make a pointed argument: performance is not primarily a function of talent or strategy, but of culture.
Becker is the founder and CEO of AARDVARK Tactical, a company he launched at seventeen that has since become a trusted partner to top-tier units. He has spent his career embedded alongside federal, state, local, and international teams operating in environments where failure carries real consequences. Over time, he observed a recurring pattern: what separates enduring, high-performing units is not resources or individual capability, but cultural practices, deliberately built and rigorously maintained.
Culture First translates those observations into nine leadership practices, each paired with practical tools leaders can implement immediately. While rooted in high-stakes tactical environments, the framework is intended for broader application across organizations.
At the center of Becker’s argument is a simple premise: culture functions as the operating system of any organization. When neglected, it forms by default. When built with intent, it becomes a force multiplier.
Speaking about the book, Becker said:
“After working alongside some of the most capable teams in the world, one thing became clear: success leaves patterns. The same cultural principles show up repeatedlyunder different leaders, in different missions, across different organizations. This book attempts to capture those patterns and make them usable.”
The book reflects not only Becker’s field experience, but also years of conversations with high performers across disciplines, many featured on his podcast, The Debrief, which has reached more than 1.5 million listeners.
Lt. Lee McMillion, Commander of LAPD D-Platoon (SWAT), has seen the principles firsthand:
“The 9 Practices are not just catchphrases for this book. They are how Jon Becker has built, sustains, and leads his private business, and the reason we have him present Culture-Centric Leadership to our entire team.”
The book’s broader relevance is echoed by Michael Lumpkin, retired Navy SEAL, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, and former corporate President and CEO:
“Jon Becker nails it in his understanding that organizational culture is the operating system that drives the success or failure of any organization. His use of real-life examples in both tactical no-fail missions as well as the business world demonstrates that it is central to every organization regardless of mission.”
Culture First is published by Lessons Learned Publishing and is available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats, with hardcover and audiobook editions scheduled for release on May 15, 2026.
About Jon B. Becker
Jon B. Becker is the founder and CEO of AARDVARK Tactical and PROJECT 7 Armor, with decades of experience equipping and advising elite military and law enforcement units. He is a TEDx and keynote speaker, attorney, documentary filmmaker, Ironman triathlete, and host of The Debrief with Jon Beckerpodcast. His work focuses on translating lessons from elite teams into practical leadership frameworks for organizations across industries. Culture First is his first book.
