By Practitioners, For Practitioners
Strategy Central - July 25, 2024
Why do we need generals and admirals? The most traditional response is that they are needed to fight and win our nation’s wars. However true this may be, there is a deeper requirement to flag grade leadership. “4 Stars” must demonstrate a commitment to a strategic vision that prepares, maneuvers, and leads the military through peace, competition, and conflict so the nation can protect and advance national security interests. Despite the need for this essential skill, not all generals or admirals are adept at strategy. Some might argue that it is a common requirement but an uncommon virtue. Admiral William McRaven is one of the rare few who possesses the vision and capability to achieve difficult objectives with complex capabilities in highly intricate environments.
William McRaven's naval career began when he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy in 1977. Over the next 37 years, he climbed the ranks to become a four-star admiral, a testament to his exceptional leadership and strategic insight. McRaven spent much of his career within the Navy SEALs, the U.S. Navy's primary special operations force. His tenure included commanding SEAL Team 3, Naval Special Warfare Group 1, and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), where he oversaw high-profile missions such as the capture of Saddam Hussein and the operation that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. For his final tour before retirement in 2014, Admiral McRaven commanded U.S. Special Operations Command.
While he was responsible for attaining the two specified national security objectives by capturing and killing America’s most wanted enemies, he was able to apply his strategic acumen more broadly while commanding SOCOM. Even as early as 2013, Admiral McRaven recognized that despite the previous decade being dominated by Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States could not take its eyes off the threat of transnational terrorism nor the special activities of Russia, Iran, or China. To combat those threats, McRaven drove his staff and counterparts to engage nations worldwide in building capacity, strengthening capabilities, and solidifying partnerships. These efforts increased SOF’s stature in Washington and established a framework to collaborate with the interagency in the fight against globally dispersed networks that remain in place today.
Leading special operations forces posed physically and mentally demanding challenges that required McRaven to adopt innovative leadership approaches. He emphasized the importance of preparation, adaptability, and decisiveness. McRaven believed that success in special operations depended on rigorous training, clear communication, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. He also prioritized the well-being and morale of his troops, understanding that the physical and psychological demands placed on special forces required a leader who could inspire and support his team through the most demanding situations.
After retiring from the Navy in 2014, McRaven transitioned to an academic-focused career, becoming the Chancellor of the University of Texas System. His leadership principles transferred to the academic environment, where he emphasized the importance of discipline, strategic planning, and fostering a culture of excellence. At the University of Texas, McRaven championed initiatives to enhance research capabilities, improve healthcare services, and expand educational opportunities. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the system's infrastructure, promote innovation, and ensure that the University of Texas System remained competitive nationally and globally.
Since 2019, Admiral William McRaven has taught "Advanced Public Management: Policy Making and Leadership," designed to immerse students in contemporary policy challenges within the national security arena. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive framework for making decisions across the public policy spectrum by engaging them with real-world geopolitical scenarios.
Throughout the course, students work collaboratively within a simulated national security team to devise actionable options for government leaders. These scenarios include high-stakes issues such as conducting drone strikes in denied areas, addressing Iran's nuclear weapon development, managing potential conflicts between Russia and NATO, and responding to global contagions. The course emphasizes theoretical and analytical approaches and the practical aspects of national security policy-making in complex and politically sensitive environments. Students are encouraged to understand the broad implications of U.S. actions on international and domestic policy. Additionally, the course highlights the critical role of leadership in the policy-making process, providing students with insights into how effective leadership can influence policy decisions in the national security domain.
Admiral McRaven’s deep strategic perspective is evidenced by the many insightful articles and books on national security he has written leveraging his extensive military experience and foreign affairs experience. He has contributed to various national security journals and platforms, discussing counter-terrorism, special operations, and the broader implications of U.S. foreign policy.
The Admiral showed a flair for writing and solving difficult problems early in his career. As a junior officer at the Naval Post Graduate School, Admiral William H. McRaven developed the theory of relative superiority. It was an insightful take on applying special operations and helpful in understanding them. McRaven explained that relative superiority is achieved when a smaller, technologically advanced, highly trained force gains a decisive advantage over a larger, less prepared enemy. This advantage is often temporary and must be exploited quickly before the enemy can regroup and reassert its numerical superiority. McRaven outlines that achieving relative superiority requires meticulous planning, precise execution, and the ability to capitalize on the element of surprise. While narrow in application, his outline for achieving more with less did inspire a deeper look at what special operations could achieve beyond counterterrorism.
In his seminal work, "Spec Ops: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice," McRaven identifies six principles crucial for the success of special operations: simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed, and purpose. Simplicity refers to clear, concise plans easily understood by all team members, minimizing the risk of confusion during execution. Security ensures that operational details are protected from enemy discovery, preserving the element of surprise. Repetition involves rigorous rehearsals and training to ensure flawless execution under pressure. Surprise is achieved by striking the enemy unexpectedly at a time and place where they are least prepared. Speed emphasizes the need for rapid execution to maintain the initiative and prevent the enemy from mounting an effective response. Finally, purpose unifies the entire team's efforts, ensuring that every action is directed toward a common objective.
Another significant work by McRaven is "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World." While not solely focused on national security, this book draws on his military experience to offer life lessons on leadership, resilience, and personal development. It provides insights applicable to both military and civilian leadership contexts.
McRaven has also written opinion pieces for major newspapers like the New York Times and the Washington Post. These articles often address contemporary security challenges, leadership, and the importance of maintaining strong, principled leadership in the face of global threats. For example, in a New York Times op-ed, he emphasized the critical role of integrity and accountability in leadership.
Beyond written publications, McRaven has shared his knowledge through public lectures and podcasts. As a professor and public speaker, he discusses the dynamics of national security, the evolving nature of threats, and the strategic responses required to address them. McRaven's contributions to national security literature are marked by his practical experience and strategic thinking, making his works valuable for understanding contemporary security issues and effective leadership.
His insight and organizational talents truly reflect a man who offers a simple way to understand what it means to live as a person of character. McRaven’s leadership lessons seemed simple because he conveyed them that way and lives his life as a man of character. He emphasized the role of character. He has plainly explained that human beings make mistakes. However, we will be best positioned to do the right thing by striving to be moral, legal, and ethical as leaders. He highlighted the role of critical thinking in being a member of the military and in any other leadership role. McRaven explains that engaging in critical thinking is not enough. Once analysis is conducted, a leader must follow through with great communication. Critical in good times, he believes it is even more important to have consistent communication during times of crisis.
McRaven emphasizes the importance of teamwork, noting that no one “paddles the boat” by themselves. He stresses the criticality of physical and mental strength to be prepared for hard work, toughness, and intelligence. Leaders listen. He notes how leaders must be able to hear what their people are saying, reflect, and be thoughtful. He recommends getting to know your people and stresses knowing exactly where to get the pulse of your people and the expertise that surrounds you.
McRaven's leadership at the University of Texas has been characterized by his strategic vision and ability to inspire and mobilize diverse groups toward common goals. He fostered a collaborative environment, encouraged open communication, and led by example, principles that had been the cornerstone of his military career. His influence extended beyond administrative duties as he became a mentor to students and faculty, sharing insights from his military career and encouraging the next generation of leaders to pursue excellence with integrity and determination.
Whether leading special operations forces or steering one of the largest university systems in the United States, McRaven's leadership has been defined by a focus on strategic planning, rigorous execution, and the ability to inspire those around him to achieve their best. The continuity of excellence, character, and good judgment have followed him since his humble beginnings in 1977. His career is a testament to the impact that disciplined and visionary leadership can have across different spheres of influence. As our nation exercises the democratic process this fall, let us hope that our elected officials call again on this great strategic leader to serve our nation again in the next administration.
References:
- McRaven, William H. "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World." Grand Central Publishing, 2017.
- McRaven, William H. "Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations." Grand Central Publishing, 2019.
- "Admiral William H. McRaven." The University of Texas System, www.utsystem.edu/offices/chancellor/former-chancellors/admiral-william-h-mcraven.
- "William H. McRaven." Naval Special Warfare Command, www.nsw.navy.mil/Leaders/Bio-Display/Article/2580700/william-h-mcraven.
- "Osama bin Laden mission was a 'flawless' raid, says Admiral William McRaven." The Guardian, 11 Sep. 2011, www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/11/osama-bin-laden-william-mcraven.
- "Retired Admiral William McRaven's new mission: Transforming UT System." The Texas Tribune, 15 Jan. 2015, www.texastribune.org/2015/01/15/ut-systems-new-chancellor-
Comments