Mike Sarraille is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer and a former enlisted Recon Marine and Scout-Sniper. A graduate of the University of Texas McCombs Business School, he is the founder and CEO of Talent War Group, a leading management consulting and executive search firm, delivering leadership solutions to business problems. He is co-author of the bestselling business book, ‘The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win on Talent,’ and a columnist for Men’s Journal under ‘The Everyday Warrior’ series.
He founded and served on the board of directors for the VETTED Foundation, a cutting-edge executive-level transition program for high-performing veterans, and was a former principal at Echelon Front, a management consulting firm alongside the co-authors of Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink, and Leif Babin.
Mike enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school. He became a Recon Marine and also served as a scout sniper. He was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP). Still, after finishing his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Texas A&M University, he sought a commission in the Navy to try out for the SEAL Teams.
After completing the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training, Mike served in SEAL Team THREE, Task Unit Bruiser, the most decorated Special Operations Task Unit of the Iraq war, where he led major combat operations during the Battle of Ramadi in 2006. In 2008, Mike returned to Iraq and led historic combat operations during the Battle of Sadr City.
In 2008-2009, Mike served as the SEAL Junior Officer Training Course (JOTC) Director at BUD/s, where he coached, mentored, and prepared junior SEAL officers to lead combat operations. Mike was then assessed and selected for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), part of the elite Joint Special Operations Command, in support of global counter-terrorism operations.
Mike completed a total of ten (10) combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He is a recognized keynote speaker and subject matter expert in leadership development, culture, talent acquisition, and talent management.
Speaking Topics -
The Everyday Warrior Mindset: A Practical Approach to A Fulfilling, Purpose-Driven Life
Mike will walk you through this powerful concept employed by high-performers – The Everyday Warrior Mindset – a practical, no-quit mentality that’ll help you overcome life’s challenges and come out healthier – physically, mentally, more knowledgeable, and resilient. It’s about leading fulfilling lives, focusing on what you can control, and positively impacting those around you. The adoption of these guiding principles will put your team on a path to living an impactful and ever-evolving life.
Winning the Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win on Talent
Based on the best-selling book, The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Companies Win on Talent, Mike translates the US Special Operations community’s ability to select and train raw talent into methods for use within the corporate world. He explains how your team can make the shift from hiring skills to hiring character. To build a strong team, you must recognize good talent. To build a winning team, you must develop and manage your talent. Let Mike guide you to hire better people and build an elite team capable of taking on any challenge.
Building a Legacy of Leadership: How to Secure Your Legacy While Driving Results
Mike’s leadership skills were developed by a series of world-class mentors he served and forged through his vast combat experience as a special operations leader. Mike’s speech reinforces the core leadership principles and mindsets required to secure victory, even in the worst of conditions. Mike defines the role of true leadership and the legacy every leader wishes to leave behind. He will touch on leadership development, how to build high-performance teams, cultures defined by trust and vulnerability, risk mitigation, and performing in high-stress situations. The keynote speech will leave a lasting impression that will inspire your people to take action and LEAD.
How Special Operations Builds a Culture of Decentralized Command
Peter Drucker once said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Well, behavior eats culture for lunch. Our culture is ultimately determined not by what we say, but by what we do, especially when no one is looking. Mike will talk about converting an organization’s espoused values into day-to-day behavior through continual leadership development and setting the example through vulnerability. Bring your team together to be a steadfast unit defined by trust, all leading to the creation of the only culture that matters – a culture of decentralized command.
