Admiral William McRaven
Retired four-star Navy SEAL admiral; commanded the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Best known to civilians for his 2014 UT Austin commencement speech 'Make Your Bed,' a message about discipline, resilience, and the power of small daily wins.
Admiral William H. McRaven served 37 years as a Navy SEAL, retiring as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. He planned and led the Neptune Spear operation in May 2011 and oversaw the capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003. After the military he served as Chancellor of the University of Texas System, and his 2014 UT Austin commencement address — Make Your Bed — became a publishing phenomenon and one of the most-watched graduation speeches in history.
His teachings center on ten life lessons forged in SEAL training: start the day with a task completed, find someone to help you through life, respect everyone, don’t back down from the sharks, be your very best in the darkest moment. Watch the videos below in order — the UT address first, then his Jocko Podcast appearance for the full backstory, then Shawn Ryan for his current thinking on leadership in crisis.
Books
Make Your Bed
The book that grew out of the UT commencement speech. Ten lessons from Navy SEAL training.
View on AmazonSea Stories
Memoir of his SEAL career from Team ONE through command of USSOCOM.
View on AmazonThe Hero Code
Ten virtues McRaven has seen define true heroes.
View on AmazonThe Wisdom of the Bullfrog
18 leadership lessons distilled from McRaven's military career.
View on Amazon
