Admiral William McRaven’s Insights from SEAL Training: Enduring Wisdom for Health Care Professionals

In 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired Navy SEAL and the former Chancellor of the University of Texas System, addressed the graduating class at the University of Texas at Austin in a commencement speech that has since motivated millions worldwide. His address, rooted in the discipline and fortitude learned during SEAL training, encapsulated ten essential life lessons that extend well beyond the military sphere—into business, education, everyday life, and significantly, the fields of medicine and health care.

In this discussion, we examine Admiral McRaven’s ten guiding principles and their specific relevance to the health care profession—a sector that necessitates discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to the welfare of others.

1. Make Your Bed

McRaven’s counsel starts with a straightforward task: making your bed meticulously every morning. This routine instills discipline and a sense of accomplishment in minor tasks, which can accumulate and lead to productivity and fulfillment throughout the day.

In health care, no duty is insignificant. Whether it’s double-checking medication dosages or cleaning a stethoscope, success hinges on the little things. A healthcare provider should dedicate effort to perfecting even the simplest actions, reinforcing trust and promoting patient safety.

2. Have a Team You Can Count On

SEALs depend on their boat crews, small groups where synchronization and mutual trust are crucial. No one can paddle through the waves alone.

Similarly, health care is fundamentally a collaborative endeavor. Physicians, nurses, physician assistants, technicians, and administrative personnel must work together seamlessly to deliver exceptional patient care. Trust, collaboration, and clear communication among medical teams significantly influence outcomes.

3. Equip Everyone with the Right Tools

In SEAL training, a team of shorter, overlooked trainees thrived by coordinating and utilizing their skills effectively.

In health care, it is vital to ensure that each team member possesses the necessary tools to succeed—from state-of-the-art medical equipment to efficient billing software. Empowered team members are more productive, engaged, and better able to tend to patients’ needs.

4. Embrace Failure: Keep Moving Forward

SEAL trainees faced rigorous uniform inspections aimed at making perfection seem unattainable, often leaving them feeling like “sugar cookies”—wet, sandy, and embarrassed.

For medical professionals, failure may manifest as a complication or an unsatisfactory outcome. What truly matters is their reaction. Resilience, humility, transparency with patients, and a commitment to continuous improvement define a seasoned practitioner.

5. Don’t Fear the Circuses

“Circuses” in SEAL training involved rigorous extra exercises assigned to underperformers. While often disliked, these exercises built resilience and mental strength.

In the medical field, the “circuses” could take the form of malpractice claims, demanding shifts, or bureaucratic obstacles. Such challenges test one’s determination, but they also present avenues for personal and professional growth. A resilient mindset can transform these difficult situations into essential building blocks of character.

6. Obstacles Are Stepping-Stones

While confronting challenging obstacle courses, one SEAL trainee set a record by taking an unconventional approach—sliding down the rope headfirst.

In medical practice, innovation frequently entails questioning established norms. Whether adopting a new surgical method or utilizing telemedicine, advancement occurs when providers venture beyond their comfort zones and embrace leadership.

7. Don’t Be Afraid of the Sharks

SEALs are instructed never to retreat in the face of approaching sharks. Instead, they confront danger head-on.

Medical professionals often face “sharks” in the form of legal challenges, difficult stakeholders, or professional criticism. Courageous leadership, particularly when advocating for patients or upholding ethical standards, requires standing firm against adversity.

8. Stay Calm Under Pressure

Underwater SEAL operations demanded navigating total darkness with limited resources—requiring calmness and unwavering focus.

In medicine, high-pressure scenarios—from cardiac emergencies to urgent surgeries—necessitate a composed, systematic approach. Training, collaboration, and mental steadiness are essential lifelines amid chaos. A physician must remain the most composed individual during critical moments.

9. Offer Hope in Dark Times

During Hell Week in SEAL training, trainees were immersed in icy mudflats. One individual’s singing sustained hope, eventually uplifting the entire group.

Health care is not solely a science—it embodies compassion in action. When a patient or their family feels hopeless, a doctor’s words, actions, or mere presence can serve as a guiding light. Even in terminal or chronic situations, meaningful connections can foster healing beyond what is apparent.

10. Never, Ever Ring the Bell

At the SEAL training camp, a bell signals those who wish to give up. McRaven’s instruction: never ring it.

In health care, burnout, stress, and moral injury can be widespread. Nonetheless, for many clinicians, the calling to serve transcends the hurdles. Seeking support, sustaining a sense of purpose, and remembering one’s core motivation are remedies for despair. Don’t give up.