Episode 27- Rorke Denver on Leadership Lessons from a Navy SEAL

Commander Rorke Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and has led special-forces missions all over the world, including the…

Episode 27- Rorke Denver on Leadership Lessons from a Navy SEAL

Commander Rorke Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and has led special-forces missions all over the world, including the…

Commander Rorke Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and has led special-forces missions all over the world, including the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The author of the New York Times bestseller Damn Few: Making The Modern SEAL Warrior, Rorke applies Navy SEAL principles to everyday leadership to help individuals and teams perform at their highest levels. On this episode, Rorke takes us behind the scenes of SEAL training and explains what we can learn from the SEALs about leadership, resiliency and teamwork.

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“Adjust the plan and win the day.”

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Show Notes

The book that inspired Rorke Denver to join the Navy SEALS (2:02)
The difference between those who make it through SEALS training and those who don’t (5:06)
The mindset and never quit mentality of a Navy SEAL (8:33)
Applying SEAL traits—problem solving, creativity, adaptability– to business (14:45)
Growth happens through discomfort (16:24)
The importance of resiliency (19:53)
“You are never out of the fight” (27:22)
The importance of finding balance (29:31)
The Hammers and The Huggers (37:13)
You reduce to the level of your training (41:03)
Calm is contagious (43:33)
Rorke’s book recommendations (45:38)

Resources / People Mentioned

Ever Onward (Rorke Denver’s website)
Navy SEALS
Act of Valor (movie)
Damn Few: Making The Modern Seal Warrior (book)
American Grit (TV series)
Syracuse lacrosse
My Early Life: Winston Churchill (book)
Saturday Night Live: Daily Affirmation (SNL skit)
Meditations (book, Marcus Aurelius)
The Complete Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant
Eric Potterat, Director of Sports Psychology Programs for the LA Dodgers
Captain Phillips rescue (Maersk Alabama hijacking)
Getting Bin Laden

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