Mike Sarraille
- #9 Leadership Speaker in the World (3× Global Gurus Top 30)
- CEO and Chief Talent Officer
- Retired Navy SEAL and Best-Selling Author
- Extreme Adventurer and World-Record Holder
In Person-Fee 🛈
Fee Range
$20,000 - $30,000
Virtual Fee:
$10,000 - $15,000
Travels From
Texas
EF Overwatch CEO Mike Sarraille Talks Veterans in the Workforce (TDA)
Exclusive: Mt. Everest Skydiving Expedition featuring Boost Oxygen
Mike Sarraille Speaker Biography
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 as a leading authority on leadership, organizational culture, and high-performing teams. Drawing on decades of experience leading elite teams in combat and business, he empowers others to excel and reach their full potential.
Mike began his military career in 1998, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he earned the prestigious titles of Recon Marine and Scout-Sniper.
After graduating with honors from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he commissioned into the U.S. Navy and completed the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (BUD/S). His leadership in combat included pivotal roles during the Battle of Ramadi in 2006 and the Battle of Sadr City in 2008.
After 20 years of military service, including assignments with the elite Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and ten combat deployments, Mike transitioned to the private sector. He founded Talent War Group, a premier leadership development and executive search firm, which was
successfully acquired in 2024, marking his first major business exit less than six years after retiring from the military. In 2025, Mike became the Chief Talent Officer at Overwatch Mission Critical, a leading provider of labor to the Data Center Industry.
In 2020, Mike authored The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win on Talent, a best-selling guide for business leaders to build world-class teams by applying special operations principles. His second best-seller, The Everyday Warrior: A No-Hack, Practical Approach to Life, which hit #84 of all books, provides a framework for self-leadership, helping readers build positive habits and engage in personal growth. His latest best-seller, Scarlett’s Big Shot: Turning Setbacks into Success, is part of the Left of Bang Children’s Leadership Series, teaching young readers resilience and leadership skills.
As the driving force behind Sports Illustrated’s Everyday Warrior Nation, Mike produces a popular weekly podcast and column series focused on leadership, culture, human performance, and the warrior mindset. He has interviewed high-profile guests such as Bernie Marcus, Sammy Hagar, Terry Crews, Drew Brees, Kelly Slater, and Shaun White, alongside top performers from various fields.
Committed to honoring and supporting military families, Mike serves as an ambassador for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Folds of Honor Foundation. He also founded Legacy Expeditions, an extreme adventure company that sets records in honor of fallen heroes. In January
2023, Mike and his team set four world records by skydiving into all seven continents in under seven days. He has also served as executive producer for two documentaries, Drop Zone Everest and Triple 7, the latter released in theaters in 2024.
With an unparalleled record of leadership and a dedication to excellence, Mike Sarraille continues to inspire and serve, both on and off the battlefield.
Evolved Leadership
(LEADERSHIP)
In a world defined by uncertainty and constant change, success demands more than traditional leadership—it requires Evolved Leadership.
Evolved Leadership is the key to thriving in today’s fast-paced, complex business environment. By embracing five foundational pillars, organizations can build a culture of collaboration, resilience, and continuous growth, empowering teams to adapt, innovate, and excel no matter the challenge.
As disruption reshapes industries, traditional leadership models are falling behind. Evolved Leadership offers a transformative, actionable framework built for today's dynamic realities.
In this keynote, Mike Sarraille introduces the five pillars of Evolved Leadership:
• Inspired Influence
• Connected Commitment
• The Excellence Imperative
• The Autonomy Advantage
• Holistic Adaptability
Through compelling storytelling and real-world examples, Mike shows how each pillar strengthens organizational culture, inspires ownership, and aligns teams around shared purpose and high standards.
This session goes beyond theory—Mike emphasizes that leadership is rooted in behavior, not position. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to empower their teams, foster accountability, and drive sustained performance.
Mike also addresses how embracing failure as a catalyst for learning keeps organizations agile and prepared for new opportunities. By embedding Evolved Leadership into everyday actions, leaders can unlock resilience, accelerate growth, and future-proof their teams against whatever lies ahead.
This keynote serves leaders and 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 to drive greater innovation
• The ability to foster holistic adaptability to thrive in any environment
The Autonomy Advantage
(LEADERSHIP)
Empowerment fuels innovation and creativity. Decentralization drives speed and effectiveness. By granting teams the autonomy to make decisions, organizations strengthen engagement, adaptability, and problem-solving capabilities—keys to thriving in today’s fast-moving environment.
The Autonomy Advantage highlights the critical role of empowering teams and individuals to drive performance, innovation, and resilience.
In this keynote, Mike Sarraille shares actionable insights on how leaders can create an environment where initiative, ownership, and accountability flourish. He explores why breaking free from traditional hierarchical structures is essential for organizations aiming to foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement.
Through real-world examples, Mike demonstrates how autonomy increases motivation, sparks creativity, and accelerates decision-making. He emphasizes that trusting team members to lead at their level equips organizations to be more agile, responsive, and better positioned to succeed in an ever-changing landscape.
This keynote serves leaders and 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 across teams
• Tools to enhance engagement, ownership, and problem-solving capabilities
• Insights into how empowering individuals drives long-term organizational success
The Ripple Effect: Inspiring Influence Beyond Your Reach
(LEADERSHIP)
Inspiration is the catalyst for transformation. When leaders harness the power of inspired influence, they ignite passion, creativity, and ownership across their teams—building an environment where every individual feels empowered to contribute at the highest level.
Inspired Influence explores how a leader’s ability to inspire directly shapes engagement, collaboration, and performance.
In this keynote, Mike Sarraille dives into the mechanics of effective inspiration, offering practical insights on how leaders can craft and communicate a vision that truly resonates with their teams. Designed for leaders aiming to break down silos and strengthen collaboration across departments, this session provides actionable strategies to create a culture of inspiration that transcends traditional organizational boundaries.
Mike uses real-world stories and examples to show how inspired leadership doesn't just enhance individual performance—it transforms entire team dynamics. Attendees will learn how to spark creativity, foster a sense of ownership, and drive collective success by inspiring from within.
When leaders lead through inspiration, they don’t just manage teams—they mobilize movements.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Looking to enhance team engagement and innovation
• 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, engagement, and ownership
• Insights into the profound impact of inspired leadership on team and organizational performance
Making the Seemingly Impossible Possible: Lessons from the World-Record-Setting Triple 7 Expedition
(HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS)
Unlock the true potential of high-performing teams through powerful lessons drawn from the Triple 7 Expedition and the world of Special Operations. By embracing optimism, trust, and accountability, leaders and teams can transform seemingly impossible challenges into extraordinary achievements.
Join Mike Sarraille on a thrilling journey as he recounts the planning, execution, and triumph of the Triple 7 Expedition—an audacious mission where a team of special operations veterans skydived onto all seven continents in just seven days, setting four world records.
This keynote captures the essence of elite teamwork and the power of unified purpose in overcoming obstacles and achieving extraordinary goals. In a world where challenges often seem insurmountable, Mike emphasizes the critical role of optimism and resilience in driving success.
Attendees will explore how a positive mindset fuels determination, how trust and vulnerability strengthen team cohesion, and how professionalism and respect create an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. Mike also highlights the importance of embracing failure as part of the learning process—showing that setbacks, when handled correctly, make teams stronger, more adaptable, and more committed to the mission.
Through captivating real-world stories, Mike delivers a compelling message about the behaviors, mindsets, and leadership principles that separate good teams from great ones.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Facing significant challenges and seeking innovative solutions
• Looking to strengthen team dynamics and collaboration
• Committed to achieving ambitious goals through collective effort
The audience will leave with:
• A deeper understanding of the principles that drive high-performing teams
• Practical strategies for fostering optimism, trust, and adaptability
• Tools for creating a culture of learning, accountability, and resilience
• Inspiration to pursue audacious goals and tackle the seemingly impossible with a no-quit attitude
The Everyday Warrior Mindset: A No-Hacks, Practical Approach to Living a High-Performing Life
(MINDSET & SELF-LEADERSHIP)
Being a Warrior has nothing to do with a profession—it’s about mindset. The Everyday Warrior Mindset equips individuals with practical tools to live a high-performing life fueled by purpose, resilience, and impact. By embracing continuous growth and turning challenges into opportunities, individuals can transform failure into success and make lasting contributions to their families, communities, and organizations.
In a world that often feels overwhelming, many individuals struggle to find meaning, direction, and balance. The Everyday Warrior Mindset offers a refreshing, no-hacks approach to personal growth and self-leadership, empowering individuals to become the best version of themselves.
Drawing from insights in the best-selling book, The Everyday Warrior, Mike Sarraille shares the core principles that help individuals thrive despite life’s inevitable challenges. This keynote highlights the importance of self-awareness, discipline, and intentionality as the foundations for personal and professional success.
Attendees will learn how to lead themselves first—developing the resilience and clarity needed to drive meaningful impact in their organizations and communities. Mike also explores how aligning daily actions with core values creates lasting fulfillment, and how personal growth is most powerful when it extends beyond oneself through service to others.
Through real-world stories, practical strategies, and actionable takeaways, Mike inspires audiences to embrace a life of purpose, optimism, and continuous growth.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Seeking to cultivate resilience and a purpose-driven mindset
• Looking for optimism and fulfillment in everyday life
• Struggling to align personal values with daily actions
• Committed to making a positive impact in their communities and beyond
The audience will leave with:
• A comprehensive understanding of the Everyday Warrior Mindset and its real-world applications
• Strategies for enhancing self-leadership and living intentionally
• Tools for transforming challenges into opportunities for personal growth
• Insights into the power of giving back and contributing to meaningful causes
• Inspiration to embark on a lifelong journey of growth, fulfillment, and impact
Moving the Bullseye to the Front of Your Chest
(CULTURE)
High-performing teams are built on trust, not fear. By embracing vulnerability and emotional intimacy, leaders remove the stigma around mistakes and create environments where collaboration, innovation, and high performance can truly flourish.
Join Mike Sarraille as he shares transformative insights drawn from his work with a Fortune 50 company that uncovered a deep cultural challenge. During a pivotal executive meeting, Mike posed the question: "How readily can you admit a mistake within your company?" The laughter from all 50 executives—and the Chief Learning Officer’s response, "If you admit a mistake, you'll put a bullseye on your chest,"—made the problem clear: fear, not trust, was driving the culture.
In this keynote, Mike explores why creating a culture that embraces vulnerability is essential for building resilient, innovative teams. Drawing from real-world examples, including elite Tier One Special Operations Units, Mike shows that emotional intimacy isn’t a weakness—it’s a critical foundation for psychological safety, high performance, and long-term organizational health.
Referencing Project Aristotle at Google, Mike reinforces that without trust, excellence is impossible. He shares actionable strategies for encouraging open dialogue, making failure part of the growth process, and using conflict as a productive tool for deeper collaboration and better decision-making.
Attendees will leave understanding that leading with authenticity and courage doesn’t just strengthen individual relationships—it transforms entire organizations.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Struggling to build trust and openness within their teams
• Seeking to enhance collaboration and communication
• Committed to creating a culture that embraces vulnerability and continuous improvement
The audience will leave with:
• A profound understanding of the importance of emotional intimacy in leadership
• Practical strategies for cultivating a culture of vulnerability, trust, and accountability
• Tools for managing conflict constructively to drive performance and innovation
• Inspiration to lead with authenticity and courage, empowering teams to thrive
Shared Values, United Vision, One Behavior
(CULTURE)
Unity is the cornerstone of organizational success. By establishing shared values and a common vision, leaders can foster a culture of connected commitment—where every team member feels valued, accountable, and empowered to contribute to collective success.
Connected Commitment explores the vital role of aligning individual and team efforts with the organization’s overarching mission.
In this keynote, Mike Sarraille shares actionable insights on how to build a culture rooted in trust, vulnerability, and collaboration. Designed for organizations struggling with silos or misalignment, this session equips leaders with practical strategies to create a cohesive, high-performing team environment.
Through compelling stories and real-world examples, Mike demonstrates how a unified commitment strengthens teamwork, drives resilience, and elevates organizational performance. He emphasizes that when teams are anchored by a shared purpose, they tackle challenges more effectively, innovate faster, and stay fully invested in the success of the whole—not just their individual roles.
Participants will leave understanding that connected commitment isn’t just about working together—it’s about building a culture where everyone is aligned, trusted, and motivated to achieve extraordinary results.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Aiming to build a cohesive and collaborative team environment
• Seeking to align individual efforts with organizational goals
• Committed to fostering trust, accountability, and a sense of shared purpose
The audience will leave with:
• A deeper understanding of the power of connected commitment
• Effective strategies for aligning team values with the organization’s broader vision
• Practical tools to create a culture of trust, collaboration, and high performance
Adapt, Learn, Thrive
(CULTURE)
In a rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential. Holistic Adaptability empowers organizations to embrace change, learn from every experience, and thrive in the face of uncertainty, ensuring they remain resilient, agile, and ready for whatever comes next.
Holistic Adaptability focuses on building a growth mindset at every level of the organization—one that values flexibility, learning, and innovation over rigidity and fear of failure.
In this keynote, Mike Sarraille shares practical insights on how leaders can create an environment where teams feel empowered to pivot, experiment, and seize opportunities, even amid disruption. Especially relevant for organizations facing rapid change, this session equips leaders with actionable tools to navigate complexity and drive sustainable success.
Through compelling stories and real-world examples, Mike demonstrates how cultivating adaptability enhances resilience, unlocks creativity, and fuels long-term performance. He emphasizes that failure, when embraced correctly, becomes a catalyst for growth rather than a setback, creating a culture where teams continuously evolve and innovate.
Participants will leave inspired to lead teams that not only survive change—but thrive because of it.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Seeking to foster a culture that embraces change and resilience
• Looking to strengthen their teams’ ability to adapt to new challenges
• Committed to building an environment of continuous learning and improvement
The audience will leave with:
• A deeper understanding of the principles behind holistic adaptability
• Strategies for cultivating a resilient, growth-focused mindset
• Practical tools for turning challenges into opportunities for innovation and sustained growth
The Excellence Imperative
(CULTURE)
Excellence is non-negotiable. By setting high standards and committing to continuous improvement, leaders empower their teams to exceed expectations, drive resilience, and achieve exceptional outcomes.
The Excellence Imperative highlights why accountability and performance management are at the heart of effective leadership and organizational success.
In this keynote, Mike Sarraille shares how leaders can set ambitious benchmarks, clearly define expectations, and foster a culture where excellence is not just encouraged—it’s expected. Designed for leaders who understand that simply meeting expectations is not enough, this session offers practical frameworks for cultivating a relentless pursuit of excellence at every level of the organization.
Mike introduces the concept of accountability as a form of love and commitment—an act of care that challenges individuals and teams to reach their highest potential.
Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, attendees will learn how to create environments where excellence becomes the norm, not the exception.
By embedding a mindset of continuous improvement and resilience, organizations can thrive in any environment and consistently deliver outstanding results.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Committed to achieving high performance and exceptional results
• Seeking to establish clear standards and accountability measures
• Looking to inspire a culture of continuous improvement and resilience
The audience will leave with:
• Strategies for implementing and sustaining high-performance standards
• Tools to cultivate a culture of excellence and adaptability
• Insights into how accountability drives both individual and organizational success
Winning the Talent War: Strategies for Hiring and Cultivating Elite Teams
(TALENT)
Winning the talent war is essential in today’s hyper-competitive landscape. With the right strategies, organizations can attract, hire, and cultivate elite teams that drive sustained success. This keynote provides a roadmap for transforming your talent acquisition and management practices to stay ahead in the battle for top talent.
In a world where talent is the ultimate differentiator, organizations face increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining the right individuals. Many leaders still rely on outdated hiring practices and ineffective cultures that fail to nurture high performance and growth. To thrive, companies must adopt a new approach—one that prioritizes character over credentials, collaboration over hierarchy, and continuous development over complacency.
Drawing from insights in the best-selling 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 building elite corporate teams.
In this keynote, attendees will learn how to strengthen their team culture to attract top talent, how to identify candidates with the right character traits, and how to foster environments that drive engagement, innovation, and retention. Mike emphasizes that effective talent management doesn’t end at hiring—it’s about actively developing individuals to maximize their contribution and potential.
By implementing these strategies, leaders can navigate today’s complex talent landscape with confidence and drive sustainable organizational success.
This keynote serves leaders and teams who are:
• Struggling to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market
• Seeking innovative strategies to build a strong, healthy team culture
• Committed to attracting, hiring, developing, and managing elite 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 and mindset
• Tools for fostering a collaborative, high-performance team culture
• Insights into retaining top talent through meaningful growth and development opportunities
