“He’s one of those who knows that life

Is just a leap of faith

Spread your arms and hold your breath

Always trust your cape” ~ Guy Clark

You’ve probably heard the expression that not all heroes wear capes. William McRaven agrees. He’s written a book that pays tribute to everyday heroes he’s come across during a 30-plus career in the U.S. Navy and a three-year tenure as Chancellor of the University of Texas System.

You may be familiar with McRaven’s 2014 commencement address at the University of Texas, Austin, where he shared the 10 lessons learned from basic SEAL training to change the world, beginning with “if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

Now in The Hero Code: Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived (Amazon Kindle link), McRaven shares the qualities that heroes possess; that give them the power to help others, to make a difference, to save the world. These qualities include, in part: courage, both physical and moral; humility; a willingness to sacrifice; and a deep sense of integrity.

There are actually 10 qualities that McRaven incorporates into “The Hero Code.” In addition to the four listed above, he includes compassion, perseverance, duty, hope, humor, and forgiveness. 

For each quality, McRaven provides examples of heroes and their virtues. He encourages us to embrace The Hero Code and it’s qualities. We need to adopt them and see them in the lives of others. We need to build these 10 qualities through small steps that become the foundation of our character. 

The Hero Code

The Hero Code is an innate code of conduct that drives us to explore, nurture, comfort, and laugh so that societies can flourish. It’s not some impossible set of values that we can’t attain. 

Being a hero is a learned experience. And being a hero isn’t easy. It can be filled with pain and disappointment, and can be dangerous at times. Heros’ actions rise above the crowd, and, in the end, they make us better. 

Courage: I will always strive to be courageous; to take one step forward as I confront my fears.

Humility: I will work to be humble; to recognize the limits of my intellect, my understanding, and my power.

Sacrifice: I will learn to sacrifice by giving a little of my time, my talent, and my treasure to those in need. Every day, Without fail.

Integrity: I will be a person of integrity; every decision I make and every action I take will be moral, legal, and ethical.

Compassion: I will be kind and compassionate to at least one person every single day and expect nothing in return.

Perseverance: I will never give up on matters that are important to me, my family, my country or my faith. I will persevere.

Duty: Whatever job I am given, whatever duty I am bound by, I will do it to the best of my ability.

Hope: I will use my unique talents to inspire others and give them hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

Humor: I will use humor to comfort others, and never be afraid to laugh at myself.

Forgiveness:  Nor mater how great or small the offencse against me, I will bry to forgive. I will be ther victor, not the victim.

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