First published 2013
Donald Rumsfeld opens his collection of leadership insights drawn from an extraordinary career spanning military service, Congress, the White House, and corporate boardrooms. As a naval aviator who became the only person to serve twice as Secretary of Defense, Rumsfeld accumulated hundreds of sharp observations about effective leadership and organizational management. These practical maxims first gained attention when President Gerald Ford distributed them throughout his White House staff in 1974. Originally jotted on index cards and kept in a shoebox, the rules evolved into an informal guide that circulated among presidents, business executives, diplomats, and congressional members for decades. Rumsfeld organizes his advice around concrete challenges like hiring decisions, conducting meetings, and handling media relations. The Wall Street Journal called the collection required reading, while the New York Times praised the rules as valuable for any organization. This book transforms decades of high-stakes experience into actionable guidance for leaders at every level, from recent graduates entering their first jobs to seasoned executives managing complex organizations.
Genres: 20th-century, business, leadership, non-fiction, 21st-century, management
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: leadership
Setting: Congress, White House
Period: 1974
352 pages · Hardcover · Broadside Books