Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them

As someone who’s always been drawn to stories of grit and leadership, I picked up Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them by Admiral William H. McRaven with high expectations—and it blew me away. This book hit me at just the right time, as I was navigating some tough challenges at work and in my personal life. McRaven’s words felt like a mentor sitting me down, sharing hard-won wisdom with a steady, reassuring voice. His 40 years as a Navy SEAL and Four-Star Admiral shine through, but it’s his humility and relatability that made this book so personal and impactful for me. What I loved most was how McRaven turned intense experiences—like leading hostage rescues or managing crises as Chancellor of the University of Texas—into lessons I could actually apply. His five-phase framework for handling crises (assess, report, contain, shape, manage) gave me a clear roadmap when I felt overwhelmed. I found myself jotting down notes, especially his advice like “Bad news doesn’t get better with age.” That one hit home—I’ve been guilty of dodging tough conversations, and McRaven’s nudge to face problems head-on has already changed how I approach challenges. The stories he shares are gripping, but they’re more than just war tales. They’re human, raw, and often funny, showing his heart as much as his courage. Reading about his failures and how he learned from them made me feel less alone in my own missteps. The book’s short length was perfect for me—I devoured it over a weekend, and I’ve already gone back to reread my favorite parts. Compared to Make Your Bed, which inspired me years ago, Conquering Crisis feels more like a personal toolkit, tailored to navigating life’s chaos. This book didn’t just teach me—it lifted me up. McRaven’s blend of practical advice and heartfelt storytelling gave me the confidence to tackle my own crises with clarity and purpose. If you’re looking for a guide to lead through tough times or just need a spark of inspiration, this is it. Conquering Crisis is now a go-to on my shelf, and I can’t recommend it enough.

A book that every business leader should read. The admiral is an excellent narrator and teacher. I loved his honesty and frankness. The bottom line is that unexpected and undesirable things happen, and you will rise to the level of your training and preparation. Always prepare.

Lessons are always learned reading McRaven's book. You learn about character, military/US security history, and how to get back on track if things didn't go right. People are not perfect but if you learn from your mistakes, are honest about what went down, and keep yourself accountable, there are paths to move forward. I picked up the author's 1st book at a gift shop of all places. (Make Your Bed) Since then I have read them all. This new book is as good as the rest. Easy quick reads that teach so much!

Loved the book for its direct style and the use of real life situations. Hat off to Adm. McRaven in this fine example of leadership in action.

Good

Similar format to his previous books, and makes for a great gift to share with your team. 10 lessons to learn before you need them, broken down into chapters. The crises are defined, described with real world examples, then highlighted / recapped at the end of the chapter. You could read through this one relatively quickly, or read one chapter a day in 15-30 minutes (I'm a slow reader) as one of your personal tasks.

Being a decade older than the admiral, I vividly remember many of the crises he describes, and was also happy to learn some history: about how Scipio defeated Hannibal and his Carthaginian army; How Lord Mountbatten's attacks on the German battleship, Tirpitz (the largest and most heavily armed ever built), directly and indirectly, rendered it useless. I also learned that the failed attempt to rescue American embassy hostages in Tehran in 1980 might have succeeded if Carter had authorized it sooner, or allowed more time for preparation for its implementation. Likewise, I learned that Biden failed to take the advice of military leaders given in May 2021 to begin evacuation of the Afghan allies who had worked for Americans in Afghanistan months before the final withdrawal of American troops. That failure resulted in a rushed last minute evacuation, and the attack by the Taliban just outside the gate to the Kabul airport, killing 13 American soldiers and 170 Afghans. Nevertheless, McRaven says the 82nd Airborne and Air Force hastily evacuated 120,000 Afghans and Americans in the largest and most complex evacuation in history, which Americans should never forget, even though it would have been more effective and safer if begun earlier. He briefly describes his leadership of the May 1, 2011 strike on Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. One of their helicopters crashed in the yard of bin Laden's compound, but McRaven had rehearsed that scenario and had several other helicopters nearby, enough to replace both of those sent to the compound. I hope that Admiral McRaven, or someone with his skills and character, will respond to any looming crises by assessing, reporting, containing, shaping and managing it -- the sooner the better -- even if they may be quite different from anything he ever confronted on active duty.

Truly love the leadership writings of this author and have every book. Everyone could learn and apply his teachings

I like this author. If you are in a leadership or management position this is a great read

very good