What the Navy SEALs Can Teach Businesses About Team-Building

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Simon and the Navy SEALs

“Spending time with the military certainly lends itself to some remarkable experiences, and I’ve been privileged to have had my share.” –Simon

In the world of elite military units, few embody the spirit of trust, teamwork, and unwavering commitment that Simon often talks about quite like the Navy SEALs. Let’s explore the secrets behind their exceptional performance and the crucial role of trust in their achievements.

The Essence of Trust  

Trust is the foundation upon which the Navy SEALs build their remarkable accomplishments. As Simon emphasizes, trust is the bedrock of any high-performing team. The SEALs epitomize this truth, relying on each other’s expertise and unwavering commitment to the mission. This level of trust enables them to tackle unimaginable challenges with unflinching confidence, knowing that their teammates have their back.

How to Build a Trusting Team

Trust within the Navy SEALs is not an abstract concept. It is a tangible force that is meticulously cultivated. SEAL teams undergo rigorous training that instills the values of trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.

Simon often highlights the power of a shared purpose. It is through having a shared purpose that individuals are driven to overcome obstacles and make sacrifices. Navy SEALs exemplify this by prioritizing the team’s interests above their own, willingly sacrificing personal comfort and safety for the greater good. It is their unyielding dedication that fuels their unwavering trust in one another.

Rich Diviney is a retired Navy SEAL commander, a leadership and human performance expert, and a bestselling author. He collaborated with Simon to create Build Trusting Teams and is one of our amazing Optimist Instructors that gives keynotes, facilitates workshops, and teaches live online classes. 

The Role of Servant-Leadership

The leadership style within the Navy SEALs aligns closely with the principles of servant leadership advocated by Simon. By creating an environment of psychological safety and open communication, leaders in the SEAL community encourage their team members to rely on one another’s strengths, forging bonds that withstand the most extreme conditions. SEAL leaders exemplify humility, empathy, and a genuine desire to serve their team members. When they lead from the front, they foster trust and respect, inspiring others to follow their example. Through their selfless acts, SEAL leaders create a culture of trust and enable the entire team to unlock their full potential.

More From Simon + The Military

Simon’s cause, his WHY, has been significantly impacted and amplified by the time he has spent with men and women in uniform. It is from those in the military that he has learned the true definition of service. Check out the insightful conversations below:

Salute to Service

As a way of saying thank you to those who volunteer to serve, we are offering a 75% military discount on our online products: Find Your WHY, The Art of Presenting, and The Optimism Library. This discount is a small token of our appreciation and is for all U.S. active military and veterans, home and abroad.

For more information, click here.

Putting It In Practice

As Simon teaches, when trust becomes the cornerstone of our actions and relationships, we can unlock the true potential of ourselves and our teams.

Looking to Build Trusting Teams or bring the message of Leaders Eat Last to your team?

Contact our Experiences Team for a private class, keynote, or workshop.

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The Optimism Library

Certified WHY Coach Program Framework

Learn the exact process Simon Sinek uses to help people discover their WHY and guide them to inspire others.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the program, you’ll be able to:

  • Explain The Golden Circle and its components — WHY, HOWs, and WHATs
  • Guide someone through a WHY Discovery process that leads to a resonant WHY statement and actionable HOWs
  • Help people use their Golden Circle to make better decisions and create positive change in their careers and lives

You’ll also develop essential human skills you can use every day:

  • Building trust
  • Listening to understand
  • Asking better questions
  • Handling emotional conversations with care

How You’ll Learn

The program includes four structured units combining independent learning, live training, and practice:

Day 1 – The Foundation

  • Get to know The Golden Circle 
  • Find out what it means to bring a Golden Circle to life
  • Learn what a WHY Discovery is, how it works, and what the benefits are

Day 2 – The Human Skills

  • Hone the human skills to guide someone through a WHY Discovery:
    • Creating psychological safety
    • Asking effective questions
    • Engaging in active listening

Day 3 – The Process in Practice

  • Learn notetaking strategies that will help you facilitate a WHY Discovery session
  • Develop the analytic and collaborative skills you need to help someone identify and articulate their WHY and HOWs

Day 4 – The Golden Circle in Action

  • Apply everything you’ve learned to facilitate a full WHY Discovery
  • Learn how to wrap up a session
  • Prepare for your next steps to becoming a Certified WHY Coach

Program Details

Format: 4 live classes + independent learning + group practice

Duration: ~ 8-10  hours per unit (including independent learning and live classes) plus ~5 hours to complete the final exam

Certification Requirements:

  • Complete independent work
  • Attend and participate in all live sessions 
  • Pass a final exam and performance assessment

Your Support Team

  • Regular updates and reminders
  • Opportunities to ask questions
  • Personalized feedback from master trainers
  • Ongoing support through your final evaluation

Program and Participation Terms and Conditions

Our mission is to create a supportive learning environment where we grow together to help others. By joining, you agree to show up in service to one another.

Professional Expectations

  • Attend and participate in ALL live classes in their entirety.
  • Complete ALL assigned online coursework.
  • Must be fluent in English.
  • Show up to live classes, community spaces, and group work with respect, kindness, and gratitude.
  • Support your fellow participants with a service mindset.
  • Keep all personal stories shared during the WHY Discovery process confidential.
  • Approach the WHY Discovery journey with empathy, integrity, and care for those you serve.

Participant Cancellation and Transfer Policy

  • Cancel up to 10 days before your cohort start date: Full refund.
  • Cancel less than 10 days before: We’re unable to offer a refund at this stage.
  • Transfer up to 7 days before: You may transfer your spot to another participant for a $200 (USD) fee.

Recording and Photography

  • Participants may not record or screenshot sessions.
  • The Company will record sessions and make them available internally for 30 days.
  • By joining, you understand you may appear on screen and agree that recordings and photos may be used by the Company for program or marketing purposes.

If you prefer not to be included, please contact the team before the first session at [email protected].

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A spark is something quite small and, by itself, not very powerful. But a spark has the ability to ignite. An idea is like a spark; alone it is just a set of words, but it too can ignite. A great idea can inspire others to dream bigger. Let us all work together to ignite something greater than ourselves.

Let us all be a Spark of Optimism.