
About this episode
Ben talks with Admiral William McRaven about leadership, communication, and his top book recommendations.
Ben can’t do pull-ups anymore, so it’s a great time to talk to Admiral William McRaven. The guys talk about the fine line between swagger and arrogance, the importance of clear communication, and the way McRaven built his teams of Navy Seals. Lots of conversation about failure as a teacher and McRaven’s top-5 must-read book recommendations. Show Notes: Admiral McRaven's book recommendations: — Marcus Aurelius: Meditations — Anton Myrer: Once an Eagle — Erich Maria Remarque: All Quiet on the Western Front — Will Durant — Ella Wheeler Wilcox — Rudyard Kipling — Stephen M. R. Covey: The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything — Ian MacHorton: The Hundred Days of Lt. MacHorton
People in this episode
Host: Ben
Guest: Admiral William McRaven
Topics covered
- leadership
- communication
- team building
- failure
- book recommendations
Keywords
- Admiral McRaven
- leadership
- Navy Seals
- communication
- book recommendations
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Marcus Aurelius: Meditations, Anton Myrer: Once an Eagle, Erich Maria Remarque: All Quiet on the Western Front, Will Durant, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Rudyard Kipling, Stephen M. R. Covey: The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, Ian MacHorton: The Hundred Days of Lt. MacHorton
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