Mike Mullen

Guided by the principle that a person must build trust in order to accomplish great things, Admiral Mike Mullen—recognized as one of the most unorthodox yet admired Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—inspires and challenges audiences with his description of the key attributes necessary to build a culture of accountability in our leaders, both in the military and government, and in the new global economy. As the principal military advisor to the President and the Secretary of Defense during two administrations, Mullen describes the importance of staying apolitical and the need to hear a range of perspectives before decisions are made. Drawing on examples from his experience—including the events that led to the death of Osama bin Laden—Mullen shares with audiences the critical strategies that made for his success, including surrounding himself with people who would challenge his thinking, seeking out a diversity of opinions and remaining accountable to those whom he served.

Serving at a critical juncture in our nation’s history, Admiral Mike Mullen, America’s top military advisor to the President and the Secretary of Defense through two administrations, was a key influencer in shaping the security of our nation for decades to come. A man of unparalleled experience, vision and integrity, Mullen shares with audiences his belief that, “Our financial health is directly related to our national security,” and discusses how the key to the United States’ economic success in the next century is to create opportunity, as well as reducing our national debt. With an eye on the horizon and to the threats that still lie ahead, Mullen discusses America’s greatest challenges—economic growth, infrastructure, education and foreign and military policy. He has traveled to Taiwan and China to engage on strategic issues tied directly to the US-China relationship.

As the world’s largest voluntary military in the world starts to return home from war, Admiral Mike Mullen wants to help repair the disconnect between the armed forces and civilians. Mullen, who has always seen himself as the personal representative of the 2.2 million men and women of the armed forces, views it as his mission to motivate communities and businesses to take advantage of the extraordinary assets and fresh perspectives they are bringing back to America and facilitate a smooth transition for them back into civilian lives.

Governments, businesses, global financial systems and infrastructures are increasingly vulnerable on a broad scale to a cyber attack which could essentially bring not only the U.S. but a major part of the industrialized world to parade rest.  Unfortunately most people and businesses don’t feel the intensity of these threats because they seem so abstract and they don’t understand the effect of a wide-scale cyber attack on their daily lives.   Admiral Mullen discusses with audiences the challenges facing leaders in all arenas to understand the cyber threat and why it cannot be delegated to some part of an organization. Leaders have to understand it because leaders make decisions about investment, policies and regulations and the major vulnerability to cyber attacks is commercially. He explains how the challenges are only going to significantly increase and why this should be one of America’s top concerns.