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Inspire your team to overcome adversity and excel in leadership with Admiral William H. McRaven, speaker, retired U.S. Navy Four-Star admiral.

Trusted by University of Texas System, Council on Foreign Relations, National Football Foundation

William McRaven
William McRaven

William McRaven

Houston, United States

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William McRaven

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Houston, United States

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William McRaven's biography

At a glance

  • Led Osama bin Laden mission
  • Former U.S. Special Operations Command leader
  • Best-selling author and leadership speaker

Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired U.S. Navy Four-Star admiral, best-selling author, and former Chancellor of the University of Texas System, brings a wealth of experience and insight to his audiences. His extensive career in the military and academia provides a unique perspective on leadership, crisis management, and resilience. McRaven's personal narratives, drawn from his extraordinary experiences, offer valuable lessons in teamwork and personal accountability. Throughout his military career, McRaven commanded special operations forces at every level, culminating in his leadership of the U.S. Special Operations Command. His strategic acumen was instrumental in several high-profile missions, including the capture of Saddam Hussein and the rescue of Captain Phillips. Perhaps most notably, he developed and led the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. His expertise in U.S. foreign policy has seen him advise Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and other national leaders on critical defence issues. As Chancellor of the University of Texas System, McRaven oversaw one of the largest and most respected higher education systems in the United States. He managed 14 institutions, educating 220,000 students and employing a vast network of faculty and healthcare professionals. His leadership in this role further cemented his reputation as a transformative figure in both military and academic circles. McRaven's contributions have been widely recognised. He was the first runner-up for TIME magazine’s “Person of the Year” in 2011 and was named one of the “Top 10 Foreign Policy Experts” by Foreign Policy magazine in 2012. His accolades include the Intrepid Freedom Award and the Ambassador Richard M. Helms Award, among others. An accomplished author, McRaven has penned several best-selling books, including Make Your Bed and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog. His writings distil decades of leadership experience into practical lessons for readers. Currently, he serves on the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Football Foundation, continuing to influence and inspire through his extensive knowledge and experience.

Why we recommend booking William

Book Admiral McRaven for unparalleled insights on leadership, resilience, and crisis management, drawn from his extraordinary military and academic career. His compelling narratives inspire teamwork and personal accountability, making him an invaluable speaker for your team or business.

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Trusted by University of Texas System, Council on Foreign Relations, National Football Foundation

Featured Projects

The Wisdom Of The Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy)
William McRaven - Make Your Bed book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book William McRaven for my next event?

To book William McRaven for your event, email william.mcraven@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you ASAP to confirm William McRaven's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.

What is William McRaven's speaking style like?

William McRaven draws on first-person military narratives from his career in special operations to illustrate principles of leadership, resilience, and crisis management.

What topics does William McRaven focus on?

William McRaven speaks on leadership development, resilience, team building, personal accountability, and crisis management. He is a retired U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral who commanded U.S. Special Operations Command and directed the 2011 operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.

Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.

What happens after I send a brief?

Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.

What does the typical fee range mean?

The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.

Have all the speakers on the website worked with PepTalk before?

Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.

How far in advance should I book a speaker?

Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.