Mike Swartz: A Journey of Leadership and Resilience
Prepare to be inspired as we delve into the life, mindset, and leadership lessons of an extraordinary individual. Mike Swartz, a true embodiment of selfless service, dedicated 24 years of his life to active duty, with 15 of those years as a Green Beret in the US Army Special Forces. As fate would have it, Mike was not only a mentor but also my first Team Sergeant in Special Forces, establishing a bond that has lasted throughout the years.
I can still vividly recall the moment I stepped into the team room, a fresh-faced 28-year-old, having just earned my Green Beret. To my surprise, I discovered that despite being the team captain, I was also the team's youngest member. It was a humbling experience, but little did I know that it was only the beginning of an incredible journey.
Just four days later, we found ourselves off the coast of San Diego, engaging in cross-training exercises with SEAL Team 5 and Special Boat Team 12. Picture this: a rookie commander, barely a week into the job, scaling a narrow 4-inch wide caving ladder on the side of a ship underway in choppy ocean waters. The adrenaline rush was unlike anything I had experienced before. And that was just the start. Shortly after, Mike and I were deployed to the Afghan and Pakistan border, where we encountered the true trials and tribulations of combat.
Our deployment began with a violent ambush on our very first patrol. RPG rockets exploded, bullets rained down upon us, and the sound of machine gun fire filled the air. In the face of such danger, the importance of effective fire and swift action became evident. Our well-trained team immediately retaliated, exchanging fire with the enemy. But as any seasoned soldier knows, the key to surviving an ambush is to get out of the kill zone. Once we were out of the ambush, I heard Mike’s voice on the radio. “Want to go back in?” While conventional doctrine would advise against re-engaging, we understood that standing our ground was crucial to maintaining our strength and dissuading further attacks. So, without hesitation, I said “Yes, let’s go back,” we turned around and went back for more.
Thanks to our collective efforts, we emerged from that encounter with only one team member sustaining a minor injury. As we returned fire and hit our targets, the ambushers were forced to retreat. In that moment, leading our team under fire, a sense of mutual respect and trust was forged between Mike and me—a bond that continues to this day, even as Mike has retired and taken on the role of Director of Operations for Stronger Leaders Stronger Profits.
During our recent conversation on the Leadership After Hours podcast, one phrase from Mike stood out: "Challenge accepted." Life is rarely fair and doesn't play by the rules we desire. But instead of dwelling on the unfairness, Mike encourages us to ask ourselves, "What am I going to do about it?" When faced with setbacks, adversity, or the illness of a loved one, his response is always "challenge accepted." This mindset propels us forward, urging us to be relentless and dedicated to our mission. Life may throw battles our way, but with the "challenge accepted" mentality, we can persevere and ultimately win the war.
I implore you not to miss out on the enlightening wisdom shared in this week's Leadership After Hours episode featuring Green Beret Master Sergeant (Retired) Mike Swartz. Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of a true leader, and let his experiences inspire you to embrace challenges with unwavering determination.
-Sean Patton
Listen to The Full Episode Here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2166090/14274148