516. The Seven Commitments That Forge Elite Teams

May 13, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Successful teams don’t just happen. In this week’s episode of The Unbeatable Mind, Mark is going solo (with his daughter Catherine joining for an insightful Q & A), to break down his acclaimed “seven commitments” model for building elite teams.

Drawing from his extensive Navy SEAL experience, Mark dives into the principles of courage, trust, respect, growth, resilience, excellence, and alignment. He explores why true elite teams aren’t about being better people, but by fostering intentional behaviours and growth.

Mark discusses how resistance to change can be a common pitfall in the building of strong teams, and the power of collective development not only in work, but in life. In order to achieve growth as a collective, honest communication and respect are paramount.

Key Takeaways:

The Fundamentality of Courage: Listen as Mark draws on personal experience from the SEALs, to illustrate how true courage within teams isn’t about bravado, but humility.

Growth Is Non-Negotiable: Realize that for a team to truly become elite, it requires constant growth from every member. When personal growth slows, so does the growth of the collective.

The Role of Physical Health in Teams: Discover how the most successful teams are ones that recognize their body and mind as one integrated system. Physical performance affects mental performance as individuals and collectively.

Resistance To Change: Recognize how even though resistance to change is completely normal, for those on a path of true growth, it’s ultimately futile.

Mark Divine, Ph.D., is the host of The Mark Divine Show, a solo podcast focused on developing mental toughness, emotional resilience, and intuitive leadership. A Navy SEAL veteran and leadership expert, Mark graduated as Honor Man of SEAL BUD/S class 170 and served 20 years in the SEAL teams, retiring as Commander in 2011. He is also the founder of SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind, programs designed to enhance physical, mental, and emotional performance.

Mark holds a Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change and has practiced Zen meditation and breathwork for over 30 years. His unique approach to leadership blends holistic, whole-person development with a focus on unlocking human potential. He has authored several bestselling books, including Unbeatable Mind and The Way of the SEAL. Mark lives in Encinitas, CA, with his wife, Sandy, their children, spirited grandchildren, and dogs, and is driven by a mission to inspire 100 million people to develop greater mental toughness, intuition, and compassion.

Mark’s Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdivine/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@markdivineshow

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RealMarkDivine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sealfit/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/markdivineleadership/

Sponsors and Promotions:

Qualia:

To feel in your prime WAY longer than you ever thought possible, try Qualia Senolytic up to 50% off right now at qualialife.com/divine15, and code DIVINE15 at checkout for an extra 15% off.