By: George Romanes
Chris Harris’s path from training elite warriors to speaking to top corporate leaders as a highly sought after keynote speaker is far from ordinary. For 25 years, as a private contractor, he taught military and special forces for the U.S. and its global allies his system of close-quarters combat called Roku Jutsu. That experience shaped his approach, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and mental toughness—values he now shares with audiences from the business world.
Today, Chris Harris is a professional keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of eight books–strongly emphasizing mindset and self-motivation. He uses his expertise in high-stakes decision-making to help professionals strengthen their leadership effectiveness and sales performance. “The mental discipline that ensures survival in combat,” he explains, “is the same one that helps professionals excel under pressure and during adversity.” His signature “Warrior Maker” approach aims to build confidence and focus on his clients, preparing them to handle challenges with exceptional mental toughness.
Thriving Under Pressure: The Secret to Staying Ahead
The executive coaching industry is experiencing a monumental change, with companies increasingly investing in leadership development and sales performance coaching. Industry reports suggest the global executive coaching market will exceed $31.6 billion by 2033, illustrating the rising demand for mental resilience training.
Rather than offering traditional speaking and coaching, Chris Harris focuses on tactical mental conditioning—teaching professionals how to self-motivate and maintain peak performance under stress. “Success isn’t about always being positive,” he explains. “It’s about how you respond and adapt when things don’t go your way.” Over the years, Harris has worked with over 500 companies across 60 countries, helping leaders and sales teams develop winning strategies in high-stakes environments.
His book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide for Self-Defense,” was published by one of the largest publishers in the world. His upcoming book, “7 Rivals,” on the other hand, reveals how to pinpoint and conquer the major mental and emotional rivalries that influence your mindset, drain your energy, and attempt to block your success. Drawing from his extensive background in combat training, Chris Harris provides readers with practical strategies to enhance their confidence, preparedness, and ability to handle challenging situations.
Tough Times Need Tougher Leaders
Leaders today are not just expected to inspire; they must also be flexible and able to handle pressure effectively. As a U.S. military veteran, award-winning inventor, former top-sales producer, and Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, Chris Harris’s methods resonate with organizations who seek a warrior’s mindset-based approach rather than conventional leadership coaching.
This puts him in the same space as well-known figures like Tony Robbins, Simon Sinek, and Jocko Willink. However, Chris Harris sets himself apart by drawing on his firsthand experience overcoming extreme adversity and training military personnel—offering insights shaped by real-world high-pressure situations. “I’m not just sharing ideas from books,” he says. “I’m teaching strategies that have been life and battle tested in the most challenging conditions.”
His clients often praise him for improving their business tactics and their overall way of handling challenges. “One executive shared that after working with me, he finally got a full night’s sleep for the first time in months,” Harris recalls. “Shifting your perspective during challenging times changes everything and Chris taught me how to do that quickly!”
Building More Fearless Leaders
With an expanding global presence and growing media recognition, Chris Harris continues to cement his reputation in keynote speaking and high-performance executive coaching. His expertise has been featured in major global media publications and he conducts frequent interviews as a mindset expert.
“My goal is to give people the mental tools they need to succeed—whether they’re in sales, leadership, or want to improve their life,” he states. “If you don’t master your mindset, your mindset will master you.”
Chris Harris’s philosophy is both practical and necessary. His message is clear: resilience is not about avoiding adversity but about using it to fuel growth and self-motivation.
