David Petraeus is arguably the best known U.S. general of the post-Vietnam era. He gained fame after leading the surge in Iraq, a controversial buildup of U.S. forces that was credited with a sharp reduction of violence during the U.S. occupation. After retiring from the Army, he headed the CIA from late 2011 to 2012 and is now a partner at the private equity firm KKR. Petraeus has written about leadership and is known as a strategic thinker who emphasizes painstaking preparation.

During an appearance at a View From the Top session at Stanford Graduate School of Business in early April 2018, he paraphrased a quote attributed to the Roman philosopher Seneca: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Petraeus drew on lessons learned during his successful military career and his fall from grace at the CIA to share insights into leadership and personal growth.

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