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Keynote Overview

Moving the Bullseye to the Front of Your Chest

Creating a Culture of Vulnerability and Emotional Intimacy

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The Big Idea

Foster high-performing teams by embracing vulnerability and emotional intimacy. When leaders openly admit mistakes, they not only remove the stigma of failure but also create an environment where trust can flourish, enabling remarkable collaboration and innovation.

Keynote Description

Join Mike Sarraille as he shares his transformative insights from working with a Fortune 50 company that identified a significant cultural issue. During an executive meeting, Mike asked, “How readily can you admit a mistake within your company?” The laughter that erupted from all 50 executives was telling. The Chief Learning Officer responded, “Mike, if you admit a mistake, you’ll put a bullseye on your chest.” This moment underscored the critical need for a culture where vulnerability is embraced rather than avoided.

Drawing inspiration from Operation Aristotle at Google, Mike emphasizes the concept of psychological safety as the foundation for high-performing teams. He illustrates how vulnerability and emotional intimacy are not signs of weakness but essential components of a robust organizational culture. As Mike shares, “Without trust, there can be no high performance.” He recounts stories from elite teams, including Tier One Special Operations Units, where emotional intimacy is paramount. If such a culture can thrive in high-stakes environments, it can be cultivated anywhere.

Mike also highlights that conflict, when approached with professionalism and tact, can be constructive and necessary for achieving excellence. Attendees will learn that fostering an environment where honest conversations are welcomed leads to deeper connections and more innovative solutions.

Outcomes & Experiences

Audience

This Keynote Serves Leaders & Teams Who Are:

  • Struggling to build trust and openness within their teams.
  • Seeking to enhance collaboration and communication.
  • Committed to creating a culture that embraces vulnerability and continuous improvement.

Outcomes

The Audience Will Leave With:

  • A profound understanding of the importance of emotional intimacy in leadership.
  • Practical strategies for cultivating a culture of vulnerability and accountability.
  • Tools for managing conflict constructively to drive performance.
  • Inspiration to lead with authenticity and courage, enabling teams to thrive.

Suggested Event Formats

While Mike tailors this keynote for each occasion, "Move the Bullseye to the Front of Your Chest" has proven effective in the following formats:

  • Major Industry Conferences
  • Leadership retreats
  • Team development workshops
  • Corporate strategy meetings
  • Organizational change initiatives
  • Motivational speaking engagements
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“We need to compete to retain, develop, engage and inspire our people and Mike provided accessible and practical ideas for us to do that. He displayed the highest level of preparation and professionalism. During the discussion, all attendees provided positive feedback, and

they said it was one of the most valuable speakers we have hosted here at Intel.”

Noah Rabinowitz
Chief Learning Officer and Vice President of Human Resources at Intel.
“Mike’s ability to connect the ‘why’ behind these concepts to our diverse groups was nothing short of remarkable, resonating deeply with everyone present. Mike’s blend of expertise and captivating delivery not only left a lasting impact but also set a high bar for future events,

making us eager to engage in our next collaboration with such an outstanding professional.”

Sean Amalla
Chief Executive Officer at ERX.
“Mike taught us how important it is to hire for character and train for skill – a truism we would all do well to remember despite today’s competitive and fast-paced job market that can tempt us to act otherwise. He also reminded us that we are not truly leaders until our people say we are – and that

being a leader is all about enabling the success of our people.”

Caroline Tarpey
Senior Vice President of Sales at Kazoo.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Mike:

In addition to thought leadership and speaking, what else does Mike Sarraille do?
In addition to delivering keynotes on leadership, culture, and high-performing teams, Mike is the CEO of Talent War Group, a premier leadership development and executive search/placement firm. Mike also leads the Everyday Warrior Nation on Sports Illustrated, where he hosts the Everyday Warrior Podcast and writes weekly on human performance and leadership. He is a proud father of three children and husband to his beautiful bride, Jordan.
Mike loves training and knowledge transfer – it’s his calling and where he feels he can drive the most impact. His most valued and impactful tour in the SEAL Teams was as the Director of the Naval Special Warfare Junior Officer Training Course at the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (BUD/S). As the Director, Mike was tasked with developing young SEAL officers into future Ground Force Commanders in charge of combat operations. He was deeply committed to unlocking the potential within those young Special Operations Officers. That passion still runs deep, now focusing on private sector leaders and organizations. His passion lies in fostering environments where leaders can cultivate high-performing teams through empathy, accountability, and connection. He believes in the power of shared experiences and the importance of evolving together to navigate challenges and achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Mike’s journey as a Navy SEAL and his extreme adventures have provided him invaluable insights into leadership, resilience, agility, and high-performing team dynamics. He translates these experiences into the business world by highlighting the importance of adaptability, cohesion, trust, and accountability. With a proven track record of founding three successful enterprises, including a notable exit in 2024, Mike brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his keynotes. He weaves powerful stories from the battlefield, record-setting expeditions, and his entrepreneurial ventures to demonstrate how these principles can empower organizations to effectively navigate challenges, enhance collaboration, and achieve exceptional results regardless of profession or industry.

About Mike’s Keynotes:

Without a Doubt! With over 500 keynotes and workshops delivered worldwide, Mike considers each presentation a “throwaway,” meaning it’s uniquely tailored for every client and cannot be reused. Through a comprehensive approach that includes pre-event consultations, stakeholder interviews, and thorough industry research, Mike crafts a highly customized experience for each organization.
Yes! Mike has extensive experience in tailoring the content and format of his keynotes to meet the unique needs of his clients, whether for live events or virtual presentations.

After every keynote, audience members often approach Mike to express how inspired they are to lead with a renewed perspective and invest more in themselves and their teammates to cultivate a high-performing environment where everyone can thrive. Mike empowers organizations to turn this inspiration into meaningful action through both live and virtual solutions.

  • Facilitated leadership offsites, fireside chats, and interactive workshops focused on developing effective leadership practices and fostering a robust organizational culture.
  • Tailored in-person and virtual consulting solutions to create a culture of excellence and accountability within organizations.
  • For the adventurous, Mike loves coordinating outdoor excursions for teams to safely push outside their mental and physical comfort zones and forge teams through shared adversity.

Booking Mike:

Absolutely! Mike is committed to ensuring the best fit for your event and is always open to discovery calls. He believes understanding your specific needs and objectives is crucial in tailoring his programming to maximize impact.
Yes! Mike has extensive experience in tailoring both the content and format of his keynotes to meet the unique needs of his clients, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience, whether in person or online.
Not at all! If Mike can skydive into all seven continents in less than seven days, we can book your engagement quickly. Please fill out the Book Mike Form, and he’ll do his best to accommodate your event or help you find another speaker who’s a great fit.
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