Former US Navy SEAL; Founder and CEO of Talent War Group and ATTA, Building Mental Strength and Wellness; Co-Author of the Best-Selling Book The Talent War; Men’s Journal Lead Columnist; Podcast Host for the Self-Improvement Focused ‘Everyday Warrior’ Series
Whether discussing his experiences as a U.S. Navy SEAL or business leader, Mike Sarraille takes you on a heart-pumping ride through the ups and downs of leading the most elite teams in the world. An expert storyteller, Mike’s real-world anecdotes will broaden your understanding of leadership, teamwork, and culture.
Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Mike Sarraille is a 3x best-selling author and 3x Global Top 30 keynote speaker, ranked #9 in the world in 2025, recognized for his expertise in leadership, organizational culture, warrior mindset, and high-performing teams. He served 20 years in Special Operations, including with the elite Joint Special Operations Command, and led historic combat missions during the Battles of Ramadi and Sadr City.
Sarraille founded Talent War Group, a premier leadership and executive search firm that was acquired in 2024, marking his first successful exit. Sarraille now serves as the Chief Talent Officer at Overwatch Mission Critical, a leader in labor for the Data Center Industry. He authored The Talent War, The Everyday Warrior, and Scarlett’s Big Shot, part of the Left of Bang series, inspiring future leaders. As the driving force behind Sports Illustrated’s Everyday Warrior Nation, Sarraille hosts a podcast and column featuring influential guests and actionable insights.
As founder of Legacy Expeditions, Sarraille leads record-setting adventures honoring fallen heroes, including four world records for skydiving into seven continents in under seven days, a feat they said couldn’t be done. He also produced the documentaries Drop Zone Everest and Triple 7, which appeared in theaters nationwide. A dedicated philanthropist, Sarraille serves as an ambassador for veteran-focused nonprofits, continuing his mission to inspire and empower others.
Mike Sarraille on If You Want to Grow, You Must Learn to Listen
Mike Sarraille on Hiring for Character Takes Practice
Mike Sarraille on Burnout in Leaders
Mike Sarraille on How One Individual Can Disrupt Your Culture
Mike Sarraille on Leading By Example
Mike Sarraille’s Speech Topics
Evolved Leadership
In an era marked by rapid change and disruption, traditional leadership models are no longer sufficient. Evolved Leadership provides a transformative framework designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. This keynote delves into the five pillars of Evolved Leadership: Inspired Influence, Connected Commitment, The Excellence Imperative, The Autonomy Advantage, and Holistic Adaptability.
Through engaging storytelling and real-world examples, Mike Sarraille will guide you in understanding how each pillar contributes to a thriving organizational culture. Attendees will learn how to inspire their teams to take ownership, align their values for unified action, and uphold high standards that drive performance.
Sarraille emphasizes that effective leadership is about behavior, not just authority. By cultivating a culture where individuals feel empowered and accountable, organizations can foster innovation and collaboration. The session will also highlight the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity, ensuring that teams remain agile and ready to seize new possibilities.
This keynote serves leaders & teams who are:
Looking to evolve their leadership approach in a changing landscape
Committed to building a high-performing culture of collaboration
Seeking strategies to inspire and engage their teams effectively
The audience will leave with:
A comprehensive understanding of the five pillars of Evolved Leadership
Practical strategies for inspiring influence and connected commitment
Tools for establishing a culture of excellence and accountability
Insights into empowering teams with autonomy for greater innovation
The ability to foster holistic adaptability to thrive in any environment
The Ripple Effect: Inspiring Influence Beyond Your Reach
Inspired Influence emphasizes the power of a leader’s ability to motivate and engage their team. Mike Sarraille will explore the mechanics of inspiration, providing insights on how to establish a vision that resonates deeply with team members. This segment is tailored for leaders seeking to break down silos and enhance collaboration across departments. Attendees will learn actionable strategies to create a culture of inspiration that transcends traditional boundaries, promoting innovation and accountability.
When leaders inspire, they unleash a wave of creativity that drives organizational success. Through practical examples and relatable stories, Sarraille illustrates how inspired influence not only enhances individual performance but also transforms team dynamics, leading to an empowered workforce ready to tackle challenges head-on.
This keynote serves leaders & teams who are:
Seeking to elevate their leadership impact
Aiming to create a culture of engagement and initiative
Committed to inspiring their teams toward collective success.
The audience will leave with:
Practical strategies to enhance their ability to inspire and influence
Tools to cultivate a culture of creativity and ownership
Insights into the profound impact of inspired leadership on team performance
The Autonomy Advantage
The Autonomy Advantage highlights the importance of empowering teams and individuals within a team. Mike Sarraille will share insights on how leaders can create an environment that encourages initiative and ownership. This session is especially relevant for organizations looking to break free from traditional hierarchical structures and foster a culture of innovation and agility.
Attendees will learn through real-world examples how autonomy leads to increased motivation and creativity. Mike emphasizes that by trusting team members to make decisions, organizations can cultivate agility and responsiveness, equipping them to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
This keynote serves leaders & teams who are:
Looking to enhance team engagement and innovation.
Seeking to empower individuals to take initiative
Committed to creating a culture of trust and accountability
The audience will leave with:
Strategies for fostering autonomy within the team
Tools to enhance engagement and problem-solving capabilities
Insights into the benefits of empowering individuals for organizational success
Winning the Talent War: Strategies for Hiring and Cultivating Elite Teams
In a world where talent is the ultimate differentiator, organizations face unprecedented challenges in recruiting and retaining the right individuals. Many leaders struggle with outdated hiring practices and ineffective team cultures that fail to nurture growth. To thrive, we must embrace a new approach that prioritizes character over skills, collaboration over hierarchy, and continuous development over stagnation.
Drawing from insights in the bestselling book, The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Companies Win on Talent,” Mike Sarraille shares proven principles from the U.S. Special Operations community, translating them into actionable strategies for the corporate realm. Attendees will learn how to build a strong, healthy team culture that not only attracts elite talent but also fosters engagement and retention.
Sarraille’s approach emphasizes that effective talent management goes beyond hiring; it involves actively cultivating an environment where individuals can thrive, innovate, and contribute to the organization’s goals. By implementing these strategies, leaders can navigate the complexities of today’s talent landscape and drive sustainable success.
The keynote serves leaders & teams who are:
Struggling to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market
Seeking innovative approaches to building a strong team culture
Committed to attracting, hiring, developing, and managing talent
The audience will leave with:
A comprehensive understanding of successful talent acquisition and management principles
Practical strategies for hiring individuals with the right character traits
Tools to foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture
Insights into retaining top talent through meaningful development opportunities
The Everyday Warrior Mindset: A No-Hack Practical Approach to Living a High-Performing Life
In a world that often feels overwhelming, many individuals struggle to find meaning and direction in their lives. The Everyday Warrior Mindset offers a refreshing, no-hack approach to personal development, guiding you to become the best version of yourself. Drawing from insights in the best-selling book, “The Everyday Warrior,” Mike Sarraille reveals the principles that empower individuals to thrive despite life’s challenges. This keynote emphasizes the importance of self-leadership as a foundation for personal and professional success. By cultivating self-awareness, discipline, and intentionality, attendees learn how to lead themselves effectively, paving the way for meaningful impact in their organizations and communities. Additionally, the Everyday Warrior Mindset encourages a commitment to living with purpose. It inspires individuals to align their actions with their core values, pursue holistic growth, leverage setbacks as opportunities for resilience, and the idea that personal growth can extend beyond oneself.
This keynote serves leaders & teams who are:
Seeking to cultivate resilience and a purpose-driven mindset
Seeking optimism and fulfillment in life
Struggling to align personal values with daily actions
Committed to making a positive impact in their communities and those around them
The audience will leave with:
A comprehensive understanding of the Everyday Warrior Mindset and its practical applications
Strategies for enhancing self-leadership and intentional living
Tools for transforming challenges into opportunities for growth
Insights into the power of giving back and contributing to meaningful causes
Inspiration to embark on a journey of personal development and impact
What other organizations say about Mike Sarraille
We need to compete to retain, develop, engage, and inspire our people. Mike provided accessible and practical ideas for us to do that. He displayed the highest level of preparation and professionalism. During the discussion, all attendees provided positive feedback, and they said it was one of the most valuable speakers we have hosted here.
Technology
What other organizations say about Mike Sarraille
Best keynote I’ve seen. I’ve been to 100 industry conferences over the past decade, but that was next level.
Health Care
What other organizations say about Mike Sarraille
Mike’s message on leadership was nothing short of transformative. He spoke candidly about what it truly means to lead, while also recognizing that not everyone is destined for a leadership role — and that’s perfectly okay. As someone who thrives in a supportive role, I found his insights deeply affirming and empowering. Mike emphasized the critical value of strong teams and the essential role they play in any leader’s success, a truth that resonated powerfully with our entire group. His ability to connect with every individual in the room, regardless of their position, made his talk both inspiring and profoundly impactful. Mike doesn’t just speak about leadership; he speaks to the heart of what makes teams excel.
Transportation
What other organizations say about Mike Sarraille
Mike has a way of engaging the audience that I haven’t seen before. His passion comes across in his delivery and inspires you to be a better person. His speech resonates with today’s workforce. We will be bringing back Mike to speak to our team and at our events.
Other
What other organizations say about Mike Sarraille
Mike Sarraille is a MUST-BOOK speaker! From his book to his podcasts, Mike is a captivating & engaging speaker that had our leaders thinking differently. There is a reason we have brought him back, and we are looking forward to welcoming him back for more sessions.