by Ron Fournier
First published 2006
Three political insiders set out to crack the code of modern American leadership. Douglas Sosnik from the Clinton White House, Matthew Dowd from Bush's campaigns, and journalist Ron Fournier venture beyond Washington to understand what makes leaders successful across politics, business, and religion. They examine Bush and Clinton reelection campaigns, megachurch operations, and corporate boardrooms including Applebee's International. The authors argue that Americans make decisions with emotions rather than logic, responding to leaders who project authenticity and community. They identify lifestyle patterns that predict voting, shopping, and religious behavior through "LifeTargeting" strategies. The book reveals how ordinary "Navigators" replace traditional opinion leaders in guiding their communities through change. The authors challenge myths about voter self-interest, Republican suburban dominance, and technology isolating people. They demonstrate how successful leaders earn loyalty by connecting with core values, while showing how quickly that connection can vanish when leaders lose touch with public sentiment.
Genres: business, american, politics, leadership, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism
Setting: Applebee's International, Bush, Clinton, Washington
Period: 21st Century
272 pages · Kindle Edition · Simon Schuster