Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them

by William H. McRaven

Admiral McRaven has inspired millions of readers to take charge of their lives and find success, using his military experience to impart wisdom on successful habits and leadership skills. This new collection of personal stories, parables, and pithy lessons sheds light on the ways we can rise to the occasion in times of crisis and act as leaders, no matter the situation. 

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Personal Development, Military Fiction, Psychology

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy Retired) served with great distinction in the Navy. In his thirty-seven years as a Navy SEAL, he commanded at every level. As a Four-Star Admiral, his final assignment was as Commander of all U.S. Special Operations Forces. He is now Chancellor of the University of Texas System.

Reviews

[Cameron Rebarchek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without question, Admiral McRaven has had an amazing career as a Navy SEAL and Special Operations Commander. The lessons he has learned over that 40-year career are invaluable, and that is why I was excited to read his latest publication Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them. As the old saying goes, "A wise man learns by the experiences of others; a fool learns by his own." So, I'm thankful to learn from the experiences of Admiral McRaven once again, as I have in his other popular titles Make Your Bed, The Hero Code, and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog.

The way Admiral McRaven grippingly tells anecdotal and personal stories and then seamlessly applies practical lessons behind them makes this a very enjoyable read. The unfortunate reality is that each and every one of us is either just coming out of a crisis, in the middle of a crisis, or perhaps unbeknownst to us now, about to enter into one. And while I may never be able to accomplish the physical feats required of Hell Week to become a Navy SEAL, this book does offer sage advice I can apply to life's tests. Each chapter offers one of these powerful lessons:

First reports are always wrong;
Have a council of colonels;
Bad news doesn't get better with age;
Weaponize the truth;
Move all your options forward;
Trust the Second Law of Thermodynamics;
Don't rush to failure;
Micromanagement is not an ugly word;
Dictate the tempo; and,
There is always time for a morale check.

While every chapter had great lesson, the one most personally impactful to me was from chapter three, where Admiral McRaven reminds us that bad news doesn't get better with age. Responding more quickly to crisis is what will allow us to, then, more quickly work toward its resolution. Delaying the crisis isn't helping anyone. Withholding the bad news and allowing others to remain ignorant only has a negatively compounding effect. One does not need to be in a position of leadership or command to benefit from this book, either. Again, crisis has a universal application to it and, as such, this is a book that I would recommend to anyone. Not only is it practical, but the stories make it a fun read and the book itself is relatively brief to begin with. 

Leader or follower, military or civilian, Conquering Crisis will offer insights that make not only surviving the next difficulty possible but also the ability to come out on top, having conquered it. You need not be controlled by crisis; it is possible to take control, and Admiral McRaven's newest book is here to demonstrate how. 

A big thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read through this advanced reader’s copy in exchanged for my honest review and opinion.

[James M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is in the leadership role must and I mean must read this book.

[Nancy Gorshe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick thoughtful leadership read for entities facing crises. Although written from the author’s military leadership crises experiences, this is generic for any industry going through change like unexpected closures-mergers, negative PR campaigns, government funding reductions etc. A perfect gift for any CEO from their board members!

[Shannon Whitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another addition to the required reading list.

[Jung]

In "Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them", Admiral William H. McRaven presents a structured, experience-based guide to leading through the most difficult and chaotic moments of life. Drawing on decades of military service, particularly from his time commanding U.S. special operations forces, McRaven lays out a five-part model for managing crises with resilience, clarity, and strategic foresight. His central message is that while crises are unavoidable, they need not lead to disaster. With the right mindset and a deliberate process, even the most overwhelming situations can be brought under control. The book is rich with lessons grounded in both historical events and personal leadership challenges, offering readers a framework to navigate uncertainty with strength and integrity.

The first stage in McRaven’s approach is all about evaluation. In moments of crisis, the instinct to jump into action can be overwhelming. But McRaven insists that the initial step must always be to pause, gather accurate information, and understand the full scope of what’s happening. Rushing in without understanding can lead to disastrous consequences. He points out that the initial information during any crisis is often misleading or incomplete. People tend to cling to optimistic assumptions or overlook red flags. For instance, during World War II, the Allied command underestimated the threat in the Ardennes, failing to detect the scale of the German buildup that led to the Battle of the Bulge. The result was a devastating surprise offensive. McRaven stresses that leaders must slow down and challenge assumptions. They need to verify facts, scrutinize reports, and listen to contrarian voices, even when the message is uncomfortable. He illustrates this with his own experience in Afghanistan, where feedback from a U.S. ambassador prompted him to reassess controversial night raids. After an independent review, McRaven implemented reforms that strengthened local trust and mission success. His point is clear: understanding the truth, no matter how inconvenient, is the foundation for any effective crisis response.

Once the facts are established, the next step is to communicate clearly and quickly. Delays in sharing bad news can erode trust and compound the damage. McRaven emphasizes the importance of timely, honest reporting—whether to superiors, the public, or one’s own team. In Iraq, shortly after assuming command, McRaven had to immediately notify his superior about a deadly incident involving a prominent local. Despite the discomfort, his prompt communication earned long-term trust and allowed the situation to be addressed swiftly. The principle is straightforward: withholding or delaying bad news only worsens a leader’s credibility. Historical examples like the Iran-Contra affair show how slow, reluctant admissions can turn a manageable issue into a full-blown scandal. On the other hand, openness can build resilience and trust. McRaven recounts how, in Afghanistan, he addressed false accusations of civilian deaths by inviting skeptical journalists to his base and showing them the care and precision with which missions were executed. While transparency didn’t erase criticism overnight, it significantly eased tensions and opened up dialogue. Leaders who hide from the truth risk losing the very trust they need to recover from crisis.

The third stage of McRaven’s framework is containment. After the initial shock and honest communication, the focus shifts to limiting the spread of the crisis. This means acting decisively to prevent the situation from worsening while maintaining flexibility in your options. McRaven draws a parallel with Winston Churchill’s obsession with the German battleship Tirpitz during World War II. Rather than relying on a single plan, Churchill demanded multiple creative strategies. This adaptability ultimately neutralized a major threat. Similarly, President George H. W. Bush’s rapid deployment of military and diplomatic tools in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait demonstrates the importance of moving quickly to establish control and preserve freedom of action. In crisis, delays shrink a leader’s choices. Action, even when not perfect, keeps the situation from spiraling. McRaven also recalls a missed opportunity to eliminate a dangerous terrorist due to bureaucratic hesitation, which later led to significant casualties. He argues that hope is not a strategy. Without early, proactive steps to contain a crisis, leaders are soon reacting instead of leading.

After gaining control, the next move is to shape the unfolding events. This phase involves thorough preparation and strategic planning to influence outcomes before they solidify. Rushing this stage can be as dangerous as inaction. McRaven shares the story of Operation Eagle Claw, the failed 1980 attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran. Poor coordination, lack of rehearsal, and excessive haste led to a catastrophic failure. In contrast, when planning the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound, McRaven ensured every possible scenario was rehearsed repeatedly. This meticulous preparation paid off when a helicopter crashed during the operation—the team responded calmly, following protocols they had drilled over and over. The key takeaway is that shaping a crisis response requires balancing urgency with deliberate practice. Leaders must resist being rushed into half-formed actions. Thorough preparation not only reduces the chance of failure but also instills confidence across the team.

The final component of crisis leadership is management over time. Many crises are not resolved with a single decision or action—they drag on, testing endurance and morale. Leaders must therefore focus on sustaining momentum and emotional stability within their teams. McRaven uses both ancient and modern examples to emphasize this point. During the Second Punic War, the Roman general Scipio Africanus redirected the theater of war to Carthage, forcing Hannibal to retreat from Italy. This bold move changed the war’s tempo and ultimately led to victory. The lesson is that maintaining initiative is key; leaders must set the pace of engagement to avoid being perpetually reactive. Morale, too, is a critical factor. McRaven recounts a difficult moment during his tenure as chancellor of the University of Texas System. After a public failure, he nearly succumbed to discouragement until a colleague’s intervention helped him re-center. Recognizing the impact of his demeanor on his staff, McRaven chose to project optimism and humor, helping to stabilize morale. This phase of managing through adversity requires a steady presence, emotional intelligence, and the ability to recognize when your team needs reassurance, even when the path forward remains uncertain.

The 10 lessons from “Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them” by Admiral William H. McRaven are:
1. First reports are always wrong - Don’t react too quickly; assess the facts carefully.
2. Have a council of colonels - Surround yourself with wise and trusted advisors.
3. Bad news doesn’t get better with age - Share tough truths early and often.
4. Weaponize the truth - Use honesty as your greatest asset in any crisis.
5. Move all your options forward - Always have backup plans in motion.
6. Trust the Second Law of Thermodynamics - Without action, chaos grows; keep energy flowing.
7. Don’t rush to failure - Be deliberate; haste can destroy progress.
8. Micromanagement is not an ugly word - Details matter, especially under pressure.
9. Dictate the tempo - Set the pace to stay in control of the situation.
10. There is always time for a morale check - Your team’s spirit is as critical as the strategy.

In conclusion, "Conquering Crisis" delivers more than just military anecdotes—it offers a deeply practical guide for navigating high-stakes situations in any field. McRaven’s five-part model—assess, report, contain, shape, manage—is rooted in real-world experience and framed by powerful historical lessons. Whether leading a nation, a corporation, or a small team, the principles remain the same: seek truth early, communicate honestly, act decisively, prepare thoroughly, and sustain morale. Crises are inevitable, but with the right framework and leadership approach, they can be confronted with strength and turned into opportunities for growth and renewal. McRaven’s message is ultimately one of discipline, courage, and hope—a call to prepare for the storm before it arrives and to face it with unwavering resolve.

[Edmund Roughpuppy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are we not men?
Reading a book by William McRaven, an Admiral in the United States Navy, raises several questions at the outset. I’m curious about Bill’s approach to his job, because that job is different from mine. I’m the least military guy in the world, and yet reading books on military strategy help me deal with my quieter life. It puts my problems in perspective, for one thing. When General Dwight Eisenhower commanded the D-Day invasion, he knew that thousands of allied soldiers would be killed, even if the landings were successful. He prepared a speech to deliver, informing his country that the operation failed, because that was a significant possibility. Every time I imagine that moment in his life, I say thank God I’m not Dwight Eisenhower! Dwight and Bill’s difficulties and responsibilities dwarf the ones I face, so right there it’s inspiring to read about them.



On the other hand, I can’t command thousands of people to do my bidding, and I don’t have lethal force at my disposal, along with permission to use it. Bill does, and his enemies are justly afraid of him, as Saint Paul reminds us:

Be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain.

My enemies tend to laugh in my face. So we’re far apart that way.

What Bill tells us
Bill shares how he approaches crisis situations, which make up a significant part of a military career. One helpful insight he offers:

First Reports Are Always Wrong
Owing to the chaotic nature of a crisis, a leader should always be skeptical about first reports. They are invariably inaccurate or misleading.

That idea is also valuable in business. Often the worst thing you can do is to assume you work with people who “have the truth,”and generally know what they’re doing. If you take what they tell you uncritically and run with it . . . here comes that brick wall.

Then we circle the parking lot
Bill goes on to share many more of his principles for leading through a crisis. I must say, the bulk of the book is suspicious, exactly like those first reports we talked about.

The Big Problem
Bill was sent to far-off places, Afghanistan and the Philippines, to kill people and destroy things, respectively. While he can’t choose his assignment, he does not reflect that bad designs produce bad outcomes. No skillful execution can reverse this. Winning the “hearts and minds” of the occupied peoples is ultimately irrelevant; the United States military shouldn’t be there in the first place.



In Afghanistan, Bill is commanded to go kill “a really bad guy.” No capture, no trial, this is not America, so just blow him off the sand. Now ask yourself, if this happened regularly in your state, would it inspire you to work for the invading force?

The Small Problems
By their nature, crises change quickly. Because of this, anyone responding to them cannot state static rules for their behavior. The minute you say “act quickly,” you must follow up with “don’t rush to failure,” which is somewhat the opposite of acting quickly.

That’s what crises do, they demonstrate the inadequacy of rule books like this one.

During a long campaign, both quick action and deliberate inaction will be required. Instead of banking the lives of his soldiers on one course or the other, the strategic commander recognizes this, that success or failure are determined by the deliberate intelligence applied to this decision, whether to act or to wait.

These are the years we must sit tight. Wait, wait. That’s always very difficult to do. Any fool can engage in action, but only the wise man can wait.
—James Michener, Hawaii

Don’t try this at home
Bill’s aim was to make his military experience available, to help less brave people like me, face our milder crises. I don’t think this book succeeded, in that undertaking.

[Julie]

This is a short, readable book from a retired four-star Navy admiral, whose goal is to give leaders some practical lessons for how to manage a crisis at their organization. The ten lessons are based around the five phases of managing a crisis (assess, report, contain, shape, and manage) and are the sort of things that should be common sense but often aren’t. Lessons such as, “be aware that first reports are always wrong” and “micromanaging in a crisis is a good thing, actually” and “it’s important to maintain morale.” For each chapter, McRaven usually gives two anecdotes: one from his own personal experience, and one that’s generally broader in scope (usually relating to world leaders), and then distills out a few nugget-sized bullet points for what the reader should take away from the chapter. Like I said, it’s a quick, easy read, with some good lessons in it. Perhaps not for everyone – I doubt it would be useful to people who are not organizational leaders – but I don’t regret having read it.

[Steven Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Navigating crisis is just part of life. Life is going to throw some "Oh, shit!" moments at you, so you need to be prepared. And that's what 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙨 comes into play.

Organized around five phases - Assess, Report, Contain, Shape, and Manage - the book is meticulously detailed, providing actionable steps for leaders to confront challenges effectively. McRaven's approach is refreshingly pragmatic, concise, and emphases preparation and adaptability over generic motivational advice. As with pretty much everything we see from him, his insights are grounded in real-world experiences, making them both relatable and impactful.

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙨 is a compelling guide that combines wisdom, practicality, and inspiration; it conveys the same kind of common sense wisdom you see from Ryan Holiday. McRaven's insights empower readers to face adversity with confidence, making this book a must-read for leaders, but also for anyone who is navigating life's inherent challenges.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

This author is either shamefully naive or purposefully biased. in chapter 2 mcraven claims that telling the truth up front is the best policy. He cites Reagan’s repeated lies and coverups of Iran Contra that hurt his approval ratings. He says the scandal was finally resolved six years later when bush pardoned the six scapegoats. He also says: while his actions violated the Boland Amendment his purpose was to obtain the release of the hostages. Americans can be very forgiving of the endgame is a noble one.
That is an unbelievable whitewash of what happened. Anyone who seriously believes a president should be forgiven for lying to congress, colluding with an enemy to do an end run around Congress and bullying the reporters who exposed this while throwing a few subordinates under the bus and pretending he had zero knowledge has no credibility whatsoever. Reagan should have been impeached not forgiven and his administration was more corrupt with more scandals than Richard Nixon.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think McRaven undersells his lessons by focusing on their suitability in crisis when they are generally good advice for any situation. It would have been interesting for McRaven to considered how his lessons applied to other models of management and leadership, but as it is, this is a challenge to the reader to continue expanding their understanding of the lessons. One disappointment of the book is that McRaven does not discuss how bad, or even toxic, leaders who fail to adhere to these lessons saw their leadership undermined. McRaven has an exceptional resume, comes across as a man of integrity and character, and communicates effectively. As such, I wish he had not avoided talking more about more sensitive topics of leadership, such as confronting toxic leaders, and disciplining both well intentioned and toxic subordinates. Hopefully McRaven is saving these thoughts for future books.

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting with the forward in the book McRaven presents five topics to "Conquering Crisis" they include: assess, report, contain, shape and manage ALL required to resolve conflicts. He brings both historical information of various world events and those of his own career. Two historical references drew my interest were the Battle of the Bulge and Winston Churchill's destruction of the German warship TIRPITZ and the potential interruption it presented to Great Britain. In both cases McRaven presents information as to what caused the crisis and all steps taken to resolve the issue. Through out the book it follows the same pattern. But it is a good reference tool to anyone from a student, to individuals in business, military or anyone who might face a crisis and how to resolve the crisis.

[Donna Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting the military bend of this book, but I must say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Each chapter was described from a military point of view, but I could see very easily how it could apply in every day life.
I loved the first chapter that talked about how the first report is usually wrong. Just looking on social media or listening to the news, tells you the truth of this title. Also, every chapter starts with a quote. For example, this chapter had a quote from Napoleon that says, "The first report is always wrong."
I loved how the Admiral, used the novel and movie, "The Martian" to show how all 10 principles applied to the story. I highly recommend the book and the movie, too!
This book was easy to read and taught me a lot of history and a lot about the military.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 4 out of 5]

McRaven again doesn't disappoint. This time around he focuses specifically on lessons he's learned when overcoming crises. In his expansive career and experience, each chapter has at least one story from history and one from his personal experience to hit home his points. The lessons are:

First reports are always wrong;
Have a council of colonels;
Bad news doesn't get better with age;
Weaponize the truth;
Move all your options forward;
Trust the Second Law of Thermodynamics;
Don't rush to failure;
Micromanagement is not an ugly word;
Dictate the tempo; and,
There is always time for a morale check.

This is a great book for leaders as well as self-leadership.

[Tiago · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. I think that through 80% of it I was not very engaged with the story or the way it was being told. Though there were occasional instances that I found interesting and wanted to keep listening to see what would come next.

The book is about moments of crisis. Historical ones. And how they were handled. Very focused on US history, and lots of military stories. Which makes sense given it was written by an US admiral.

The other book from this author, Make Your Bed, was a bit more interesting for me.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is simple and is paired with stories from his military career to emphasize certain points. Good book to refresh your values and reiterate heuristics when in a crisis.

The first report is incomplete or wrong.

Have a team of trusted advisors.

Bad news doesn't get better with age.

Be transparent with the truth.

Prepare multiple options.

Crisis does not get better with inaction.

Be quick, but don't hurry.

Be exact in expectation and communication.

Turn the tide in your favor.

Maintain morale.

[Tyler Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved McRaven's commencement speech and subsequent book about making your bed - something about a numbered amount of lessons/points scratches my brain. With that being said, I think this particular book could have been five points at most as some lessons were very surface-level with supplementary stories that felt like a drag to me. I found myself struggling through this which is a shame, as he is such an impressive man and skilled orator.

[Edmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible book, I really loved what Admiral McRaven says about micro management, about not trusting the first report. The lessons he has is very relevant to business as well as to the military applications. Also sharing the history of what happened to the Bay of Pigs, the Iran Contra, the Iran hostage situation, Apollo 13 was just incredible. What a great find. Totally recommend this book. My only concern was that it was too short, I wanted to hear and read more.

[Kyle Beacom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth Admiral McRaven book I have read, starting with "Make Your Bed." They are all of a similar style; short books, with short chapters, chalk full of good stories that are mostly related to military maneuvers. This book covers Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, John Wooden's Pyramid of Success, and quotes from Mark Twain and Napoleon. Like McRaven's other books, it is a quick read with great stories and valuable lessons that can be applied to nearly all walks of life.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is aimed at managers of businesses or other organizations, the state of the world means that anyone could find oneself within a crisis, or at least crisis-adjacent, at any time. Some of Adm. McRaven's lessons: "Bad news doesn't get better with age."
"Move forward on all your options."
"Don't rush to failure."
"Crises never get better through inaction."

At 220 pages of easy and interesting reading, I felt it was very well worth my time.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for review.

An quick, insightful read, this book offers exactly what it markets, useful advise on how to manage a future crisis. Utilizing anecdotes from the author’s own leadership experience, he provides advise for both the military and civilian sector.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admiral McRaven’s books are always an easy read filled with hard won wisdoms. I struggled to connect the words chosen for the different stages with something actionable but the anecdotes made the actions they stand in for clear. This will be on my list for a reread.

(My only gripe with this book was Marine not being capitalized)

[Fady Antoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admire the author deeply, and his speeches have had a profound impact on my life. If anyone wants to learn how to manage a crisis and respond effectively to one, I highly recommend reading his books. He provides a step-by-step guide on how to keep moving forward, even when it feels like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

[Charles Collyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories and ideas about how to be prepared before a crisis arises, and how to lead and manage through it. It's notable to me how similar McRaven's approach to meeting a challenge is to Martin Luther King's, as expressed in his principles of nonviolence and books such as Why We Can't Wait and The Trumpet of Conscience.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where was this book back when I was an admin? In retrospect, I can say overall I approached crises instinctively using the techniques Admiral McRaven outlines in his well-written book of advice to leaders illustrated thoroughly with exciting anecdotal examples. I recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position or with an interest in history.

[Tie Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical advice from the admiral that’s sprinkled with engaging historical information. I particularly love this advice that his dad offered to him: “Make a decision before you run out of runway. Use all the available space you have to plan, prepare, and act before you reach a point where you have no room to maneuver. Take advantage of the runway you have, and never rush to failure.”

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down

This is a quick and easy read made interesting by a variety of largely military-based vignettes. Sure, you can learn some good principles from the book, but they're not very ground-breaking, and I doubt the book will stay very memorable for me.

It also needs another editing to correct some very basic and obvious typographical errors.

[Cheryl Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being retired military makes me appreciative of books written by other military leaders. I have read the Honor Code, written by the same author, and even though most of the lessons he writes about are military-oriented they still have good lessons for corporate and government workers. Especially now when our country is facing the loss of our democracy

[Jquick99 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed 2 of the author’s other books, but this one just seemed like one long (well, short for a book) humble brag and gung ho advert to join the military! I’m sure the other 2 are also like that, but maybe I’m tired of the everyone is sooo honorable and sooo good at what they do. Ugh.

[Jed Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical approach to crisis management that doubles as a primer on military history. The writing is engaging, moves quickly, and includes a variety of interesting and historically significant stories.

[Michael D Hartnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons from one of the nations' most proven leaders...

The timing of this book couldn't be better in a time of feckless leadership in the country. Admiral McRaven is a national treasure