Bin laden Quote by William H. McRaven
““Throughout my career, I always had great respect for the British Special Air Service, the famed SAS. The SAS motto was “Who Dares Wins.” The motto was so widely admired that even moments before the bin Laden raid, my Command Sergeant Major, Chris Faris, quoted it to the SEALs preparing for the mission. To me the motto was more than about how the British special forces operated as a unit; it was about how each of us should approach our lives. Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential. Without pushing your limits, without occasionally sliding down the rope headfirst, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commencement Address, University of Texas, 2014
The quote urges embracing risk and daring actions, asserting that fear of failure limits personal growth and achievement.
In simple terms: Take bold risks to discover your true potential.
Key Takeaway
Dare greatly, push limits.
Themes
courage
risk
growth
potential
resilience
Mood
determined
inspirational
Type
motivational
leadership
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- entrepreneurship
- personal development
- team projects
- adversity training
Key Concepts
Psychology of fear
leadership
military ethos
Questions to Reflect On
- What fear holds you back from trying?
- How can you balance daring with prudence?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on risk can lead to reckless decisions without proper preparation.
![“Following is one of the most underrated aspects of leadership… I have seen many a good [military unit] underachieve, because someone...thought the commander was incompetent, and quietly worked to undermine his authority.” quote by William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/63f/william-h-mcraven-13570_aspect_following-is-one-of-the-most-underrated_197506.jpg)
![“[to Navy SEALs] Quite frankly, I didn't even want to use you guys, with your dip and velcro and all your gear bullshit. I wanted to drop a bomb. But people didn't believe in this lead enough to drop a bomb. So they're using you guys as canaries. And, in theory, if bin Laden isn't there, you can…” quote by Mark Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/12a/mark-owen-41650_bin-laden_to-navy-seals-quite-frankly-i-didn-t-eve_19993.jpg)
