Mission Driven: The Path to a Life of Purpose

by Mike Hayes

Overview

Former Navy SEAL commander, White House Fellow, and nonprofit and business leader Mike Hayes offers an inspiring playbook for understanding and achieving your most rewarding and purposeful life.

Mission Driven offers a practical guide for transition points: young people, recent graduates, professionals shifting to new roles, or people shifting to find new balance in their lives. It is divided into two sections: The Long Game (figuring out who you want to be, how you define success, and what kind of impact you’re looking to have in your own life and the world) and The Short Game (moving readers from the who to the how, taking the learnings they’ve gathered in the first half of the book and applying them toward building their lives and finding their next great opportunities).

Its lessons include:
·Not What You Want To Be, But Who You Want to Be
·The Most Powerful Secret I Know: Helping Others Helps Us More
·Getting Comfortable Making Decisions
·Finding Enough In The Ways You Spend Your Time

Whether someone is at the beginning of their journey or, at any stage, looking for more, Mission Driven is a roadmap for discovering what drives you, and a playbook for translating those drives into opportunities. It is a book to help us satisfy our ambitions and our souls, filled with smart, empathetic guidance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306836534
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

MIKE HAYES is the former commanding officer of SEAL Team Two, leading a two-thousand-person Special Operations task force in southeastern Afghanistan. In addition to a twenty-year career as a SEAL, Mike was a White House fellow, served two years as director of defense policy and strategy at the National Security Council, and has worked directly with both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Beyond his military and government service, Mike is the founding board member of the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, and his own 501(c)(3), the 1162 Foundation, which has paid off twelve Gold Star widow mortgages to date. In the private sector, Mike has served in several C-level roles and is currently managing director at Insight Partners, a software investment firm with $90 billion of assets under management and 600+ portfolio companies. He lives in Sunapee, New Hampshire, and Westport, Connecticut, with his wife and daughter.

Editorial Reviews

"I first met Mike nearly 20 years ago and can’t imagine anyone who has led a more Mission Driven life. His words are a powerful blueprint for leading with integrity, resilience, and purpose. This book challenges us to think bigger than ourselves, to serve with conviction, and to live a life that truly matters. A must-read for anyone striving to make an impact—in business and in life."—Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorganChase

"Mike has lived what he writes. Mission Driven is more than a leadership playbook—it’s a reminder that the most impactful people operate with deep conviction, service, and heart."—Lynn Martin, President, New York Stock Exchange

“Mission Driven is a powerful guide to leading with purpose, toughness, and humility. Mike understands what it takes to build elite teams and strong cultures, and I’ve seen personally how his wisdom can pay off—for both individuals and organizations. This book delivers Mike’s teachings in a way that will hit home for athletes, coaches, leaders, and anyone who strives to achieve their best.”—Dan Hurley, Head Coach and two-time National Champion, UConn Basketball

“Mike is an honor graduate of the ultimate school- the college of life and death. If you want to live a life few can match-take on Mike's challenge. Choose to be Mission Driven.”—Command Master Chief Britt Slabinski, Medal of Honor Recipient

"Mike has helped teach me how to have a pure and intentional outlook on daily life; he understands that our every action shapes outcomes, and uses this to make the world just a bit better everyday."—Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

“Hayes draws from his experiences as a SEAL commanding officer for this intelligent and actionable guide to living a meaningful life… Readers stuck at a professional crossroads would do well to pick this up.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Doing the right thing is a matter of honor to the author, and he demonstrates a clear-headed approach to life. Readers willing to honestly examine their lives and find their true centers are in the right place.”—Booklist

From the Publisher