Daniel Burrus
Global Futurist & AI Strategist | Founder & CEO, Burrus Research | NYT & WSJ Bestselling Author | Professional Speakers Hall of Fame
William McRaven
Ret. U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral & Navy SEAL | Former SOCOM Commander | #1 NYT Bestselling Author | Leadership & Crisis
Admiral William McRaven planned and led the raid that killed Osama bin Laden — and has spent his post-military career translating four decades of special operations leadership into lessons for the rest of us. A retired Four-Star Admiral, former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and #1 New York Times bestselling author, he delivers keynotes that have earned standing ovations and permanently changed how leaders think about courage, discipline, and purpose.
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William McRaven biography
Admiral William H. McRaven is one of the most decorated and consequential military leaders in American history — a retired U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral, Navy SEAL, and #1 New York Times bestselling author whose four decades of service took him from the beaches of BUD/S training to the highest command in U.S. special operations. He served as the ninth Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) from 2011 to 2014, overseeing all special operations forces across every branch of the U.S. military, and previously commanded the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) from 2008 to 2011. He retired in 2014 after 37 years as a Navy SEAL — earning the title “Bullfrog,” the honor given to the longest-serving active-duty SEAL.
Leadership speaker Admiral William McRaven’s operational record is without parallel in modern military history. He commanded the forces that captured Saddam Hussein, rescued Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates, and — most famously — planned and executed the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. That mission, one of the most complex and high-stakes special operations in history, cemented his standing as a strategist and leader of the highest order. TIME magazine named him first runner-up for Person of the Year in 2011, Forbes listed him among the world’s greatest leaders in 2015, and Foreign Policy named him one of the nation’s top ten foreign policy experts. He has advised Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and other senior U.S. leaders on defense and national security. In March 2024, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez awarded McRaven the $50 million Courage and Civility Award in recognition of his lifetime of service — funds he directed toward educating the children of fallen veterans and supporting military mental health.
From the Battlefield to the Bestseller List
After retiring from military service, McRaven served as Chancellor of the University of Texas System from 2015 to 2018, overseeing 14 institutions, 220,000 students, and more than 100,000 faculty, healthcare professionals, and staff. In parallel, he has built one of the most remarkable bodies of leadership literature to emerge from any military career. His 2014 University of Texas commencement address — which distilled 37 years of SEAL experience into ten practical lessons — became one of the most-watched speeches in internet history, with over 150 million views, and inspired his book Make Your Bed, a #1 New York Times bestseller. Subsequent works include Sea Stories, The Hero Code, and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy), another instant #1 New York Times bestseller. His most recent book, Duty, Honor, Country, and Life (2025), draws on speeches, letters, and reflections to explore the stories of courage, sacrifice, and integrity that define a life of service.
As a speaker, Admiral McRaven commands rooms the way he commanded operations — with clarity, authority, and a rare ability to make the weight of genuine leadership felt. His keynotes translate the hard-won lessons of Navy SEAL training, combat command, crisis management, and institutional leadership into frameworks that resonate with any organization navigating high-stakes decisions. Audiences receive standing ovations. Leaders leave changed.
William McRaven Speaking Videos
Anniversary Dinner Keynote Speaker: ADM William McRaven USN Retired
Speech To Change Your Life Today! Admiral McRaven "Make Your Bed" Motivational Words Of Wisdom
William McRaven Keynote Topics
Based on the viral commencement address that has been watched over 150 million times and the #1 New York Times bestselling book it inspired, this keynote draws on Admiral McRaven's 37 years as a Navy SEAL to present ten foundational lessons in discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the power of small actions to change large outcomes. Grounded in vivid personal narratives from the toughest military training program in the world and from the operations that defined his career, this is one of the most compelling and practically useful leadership talks any audience will ever experience.
Drawn from his instant #1 New York Times bestseller, this keynote presents the most important leadership lessons Admiral McRaven accumulated over forty years of command — from the factory floor to the C-suite, from the beaches of BUD/S to the Situation Room. Through stories spanning the Civil War, World War II, the hunt for bin Laden, and the leadership rooms of corporate America, McRaven makes the case that the fundamentals of great leadership are simple to understand and hard to live — and that the leaders who close that gap are the ones who change organizations and shape history.
Admiral McRaven brings his exceptional operational experiences to bear on the leadership challenges facing today's organizations. This keynote explores the current geopolitical environment and America's evolving role in a volatile world — and draws out the universal leadership principles that apply whether you are commanding a special operations task force or navigating an organizational crisis. McRaven covers preparation and discipline, the force of purpose, authority during instability, the indispensable role of teamwork, and the irreducible importance of never giving up. Audiences leave challenged, energized, and equipped with a more rigorous standard for what leadership actually demands.
Drawing from his most recent book, Admiral McRaven shares stories of the men and women whose lives embodied the highest ideals of service — courage under fire, sacrifice without recognition, and integrity when no one is watching. This keynote is both a tribute to those who have given everything in service to something larger than themselves and a challenge to every audience member to find their own version of that standard. A deeply personal, stirring, and ultimately hopeful talk about what it means to live a life of genuine purpose.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking William McRaven
Why Admiral William McRaven?
Booking Admiral William McRaven is one of the most impactful decisions an event organizer can make. Few speakers on earth combine his level of operational authority, moral credibility, and storytelling power. He planned and led the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. He commanded the rescue of Captain Phillips. He has advised U.S. presidents. He transformed one of America's largest university systems. And he has distilled all of it into leadership frameworks that are as actionable in a boardroom as they were on the battlefield. His keynotes consistently receive standing ovations, and event professionals describe him as not just the best speaker they have ever booked, but as someone who sets the tone for an entire event and leaves a lasting impression on everyone in the room. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check his availability.
What is Admiral McRaven's most famous speech?
Admiral McRaven's 2014 commencement address at the University of Texas — commonly known as the "Make Your Bed" speech — is one of the most-watched speeches in internet history, with over 150 million views. In it, he distills 37 years of Navy SEAL experience into ten practical life lessons, beginning with the deceptively simple act of making your bed each morning as a foundation for discipline, small wins, and resilience. The speech inspired his bestselling book of the same name and remains one of the most shared and discussed leadership talks of the past decade.
Did Admiral McRaven plan the Osama bin Laden raid?
Yes. As Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Admiral McRaven developed and personally oversaw the operational plan for the May 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan — known as Operation Neptune Spear. The mission, carried out by Navy SEAL Team Six, resulted in the death of bin Laden and is widely regarded as one of the most successful and complex special operations in U.S. military history. McRaven briefed President Obama on the plan and commanded the operation in real time from a forward location.
What topics does leadership speaker Admiral William McRaven cover in his keynotes?
Admiral McRaven speaks on leadership under pressure, crisis management, resilience and mental toughness, teamwork and personal accountability, U.S. foreign policy and geopolitics, national security strategy, risk management, and the principles of special operations applied to organizational excellence. His presentations can be delivered as keynotes, fireside conversations, or moderated discussions, and are fully customized to the needs of each audience. He is equally compelling at financial services conferences, technology summits, healthcare gatherings, and military or government forums. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to explore how Admiral McRaven can elevate your next event.
How to book William McRaven as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book William McRaven as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about William McRaven's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for William McRaven or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is William McRaven speaking fee?
William McRaven speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire William McRaven to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book William McRaven.
How can I contact William McRaven?
We only work with William McRaven on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking William McRaven and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having William McRaven speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact William McRaven for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book William McRaven for a virtual keynote?
Yes, William McRaven is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book William McRaven for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
