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Chris Harris never thought his experience training military warriors in close-quarters combat would one day shape a competitive corporate strategy for leadership and sales. Yet, today, he often stands before an audience of Fortune 500 executives, commanding attention just as he did while teaching elite combatives as a private contractor.
“Success isn’t just about talent — it’s about mindset. Whether in sales, leadership, or life, those who excel are the ones who train their minds like warriors,” Harris explains.
This path was not random. The same principles that once meant the difference between life and death now serve as the backbone of his speaking and executive coaching philosophy. Central to his approach is Roku Jutsu, the specialized close-quarters combat system he created and taught globally for over two decades — a discipline that continues to influence his corporate strategies.
From combat training to corporate strategy
Chris Harris’s career has always been built on skill and strategy. As mentioned, for over 25 years, he trained military personnel in Roku Jutsu Combatives, a system he designed to sharpen the abilities of elite warriors in high-pressure situations. That same focus on discipline, resilience, and adaptability was pivotal during his journey to induction into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and now powers his keynote speeches and executive coaching.
“The battlefield and the boardroom have more in common than people realize. Both demand precision, mental toughness, and quick decision-making under pressure,” Harris says.
After retiring his black belt at the rank of Grand Master, Chris Harris thrived in B2B sales, becoming a top performer and sales leader. Seeing a gap in structured, results-driven sales techniques, he created Phase Selling, a method now used by companies in over 60 countries. Unlike standard sales training, Harris’s method instills a warrior mindset, helping professionals stay sharp and effective in high-pressure situations while remaining focused on the goal.
Rewriting the rules of keynote speaking
The world of keynote speaking and executive coaching is crowded with voices, but Chris Harris brings something different — real-world experience combined with sharp business strategy. While big names like Tony Robbins and Simon Sinek focus on motivation and leadership philosophy, Harris delivers practical, mindset-driven strategies that increase performance in a measurable and repeatable way.
“Most people talk about motivation. I talk about self-motivation and action. A warrior doesn’t wait to feel inspired — they train, execute, and win,” Harris explains.
His sales and leadership keynote speaking and executive coaching approach has gained serious traction, resulting in frequent interviews as a mindset expert. Additionally, Harris is the author of eight books, an award-winning inventor, a U.S. military veteran, and has been inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
The future of high-performance coaching
Chris Harris’s most recent book, “Mindset Grit,” released in 2024, expands on his approach to high-performance psychology. It offers readers actionable strategies to master their mental resilience. With another one on the way, “7 Rivals,” Chris Harris shows audiences how to identify and tackle the most significant challenges that compete for their mental strength, energy, and success. He also continues developing new cutting-edge content that equips audiences with practical strategies for succeeding by using the tools they already possess.
Chris Harris’s transformative services have already reached audiences in over 60 countries as he shares his principles of attaining a warrior mindset in sales, leadership, and life. “The world is changing. Businesses that want to survive and thrive need to adapt and overcome — because the competition isn’t slowing down,” he asserts.
