First Sergeant Matt Eversmann: Black Hawk Down

  • Led a group of Army Rangers during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.
  • Awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for actions in combat.
  • Co-authored three New York Times best-selling books with James Patterson.
  • Co-founded Eversmann Advisory to mentor young professionals.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
  • **Fee range: $10,000 - $15,000
  • In-Person: $12,500

$1,500 flat travel fee, plus professional venue-city ground and up to 2 nights hotel.

Keynote Topics

The business world, regardless of industry, is filled with uncertainty, chaos and the unexpected. Welcome to the “Urban Battlefield.” Strip away the drama of gun fights and the frustration of Murphy’s Law the lessons learned from battle during Black Hawk Down or Iraq are directly applicable to leaders at all levels of business. There is no business plan to help leaders avoid ‘Strategic Shock’, but this story of elite teams with high standards, solid leadership, followership and teamwork will get the conversation started.

Matt will walk the audience through his experiences as a young leader (manager) thrust into a “must win” situation in the harshest times. With Matt’s post military experiences as a leader in the corporate world (healthcare, non-profit and technology) he literally can “talk the talk and walk the walk” about what really translates from the battlefields versus what just sounds good. Matt explains why his theories and lessons positively affect individuals and institutions. What they hear on Friday they can apply on Monday. His talk resonates particularly with the audiences who have to execute, who have to lead and manage, and who ultimately have to answer for their delivery of goods and services. This is a war story like no other.

Key takeaways:

  • High standards (excellence) doesn’t cost a penny but takes commitment from leaders.
  • Every member of every team is responsible and accountable for something; leaders must ensure they know what that something is.
  • Strategic decisions immediately affect execution; managers are the ones who make everything happen.
  • There are incalculable consequences caused by events out of anyone’s control, teams must

How can you be elite if you were never in the military?

If you don’t have the entire might of the US Congress supporting you and your authority isn’t backed by the Constitution how can you expect every member of your team to “be like an operator”?

The truth is that you can’t. None of us can. But you don’t have to have served to be a great leader. Most of us must manage small teams and that is the secret to FUSION leadership. Matt spent almost half of his career as a leader with the elite Army Rangers and about the same in the conventional forces so he knows both sides well.

He knows about high standards, accountability, and responsibility. A leadership award winner at almost every professional school he attended, Matt devised a system of leadership where we all can influence our teams and get the same results as elite Army Rangers.

First Sergeant Matt Eversmann’s harrowing experience during the Battle of Mogadishu, famously depicted in “Black Hawk Down,” has become a testament to courage and leadership under fire. His story not only highlights the chaos of combat but also underscores the profound lessons of duty and resilience that are essential in both military and civilian life. […]

First Sergeant Matt Eversmann’s harrowing experience during the Battle of Mogadishu, famously depicted in “Black Hawk Down,” has become a testament to courage and leadership under fire. His story not only highlights the chaos of combat but also underscores the profound lessons of duty and resilience that are essential in both military and civilian life.

In August 1993, Eversmann and his company were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of Task Force Ranger. On October 3, 1993, he was placed in charge of a group of Army Rangers to lead a daytime raid against an eager enemy militia. During this mission, he and his fellow soldiers were trapped in a hostile district of Mogadishu and marked for death by an angry mob. His inspiring story of survival was immortalized in the epic film, “Black Hawk Down,” which recounts the harrowing experience. For his actions on the battlefield, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device.

After Somalia, Eversmann dedicated himself to educating future military leaders. He served at the Army War College and taught at Johns Hopkins University. In 2006, he deployed to Iraq as a company First Sergeant with the 10th Mountain Division’s 2BCT, spending 15 months embedded with the Iraqi Army during “The Surge.” He remained on active duty until May 2008, retiring after 20 years of service.

Transitioning to civilian life, Eversmann co-founded Eversmann Advisory with his wife, Tori, aiming to prepare young leaders for the professional workforce. He also collaborated with author James Patterson to co-author three New York Times best-selling books, including “Walk in My Combat Boots,” released in February 2021.

Eversmann’s speaking engagements focus on leadership, resilience, and the importance of selfless service. Drawing from his military experiences, he emphasizes the value of courage, responsibility, and teamwork in overcoming adversity. His insights are particularly relevant for organizations navigating today’s unpredictable environments, offering strategies to build resilient teams capable of handling unforeseen challenges.

Event planners seeking a speaker who embodies the principles of leadership and resilience will find Eversmann’s narrative both compelling and inspiring. His firsthand accounts provide valuable lessons on navigating adversity, making him an ideal choice for audiences aiming to enhance their leadership and crisis management skills.

In summary, First Sergeant Matt Eversmann’s journey from the battlefields of Mogadishu to his roles as an educator, author, and speaker exemplifies a commitment to duty and leadership. His experiences offer profound insights into overcoming challenges, making him a sought-after speaker for organizations aiming to inspire and develop effective leaders.

Hashtags: #MattEversmann #BlackHawkDown #Leadership #Resilience #MilitarySpeaker

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