10 Leadership Lessons from 'Make Your Bed' - Admiral McRaven's Commencement Speech (Monday Mindset)

If greatness isn’t built on grand gestures, what actually moves the needle? In this Monday Mindset episode, Nick and Wil break down Admiral William H. McRaven's legendary 2014 University of Texas commencement speech and extract 10 practical leadership lessons you can use today. You'll hear how discipline, self-leadership, and grit show up in real life, plus how to lead yourself when motivation fades.

Key Takeaways:

• If you cannot consistently lead your own habits, discipline, and mindset, you will struggle to lead anyone else.​
• Starting your day by making your bed builds momentum and a sense of control that carries into bigger tasks.​
• Discipline comes before motivation. Taking one step, writing one word, or doing one rep often creates the motivation you were waiting for.​
• Measuring people by the “size of their heart, not their flippers” underscores that grit, courage, and mindset matter more than raw talent or resume.​
• The “circus” can become an advantage by building resilience and capacity others don’t have.
• Facing “sharks” means not retreating from intimidating people or situations, but holding your line with courage and clarity.​​
• Be your best in the darkest moments.​
• Quitting becomes a habit, and refusing to quit is often what separates leaders from those who wish they had stayed in the fight.

You can listen to Admiral William H. McRaven's legendary 2014 University of Texas commencement speech here: https://youtu.be/mMEq0r97T_k

Music is provided by DJ Aytiwan. Follow or contact Aytiwan on Instagram: Aytiwan Music