How to Lead

July 1, 2020
Charismatic leaders share the secrets of their success. In this follow-up to The American Story: Conversations With Master Historians (2019), billionaire businessman and philanthropist Rubenstein highlights the contributions of distinctive leaders in six categories: "Visionaries," "Builders," "Transformers," "Commanders," "Decision-Makers," and "Masters." The author opens with Jeff Bezos, who discusses his career as Amazon founder, space travel enthusiast, and owner of the Washington Post. Since most of the interviews were conducted within the last decade, the advice about starting small, building gradually, and staying focused is mostly relevant. In other profiles, Rubenstein explores the careers and motivations of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, Phil Knight, Jamie Dimon, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Jack Nicklaus, Lorne Michaels, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Yo-Yo Ma, and Oprah Winfrey, who was once terminated as a TV anchor and advises that "getting fired is an opportunity for something else to show up." Though readers will be familiar with many of Rubenstein's subjects, his interviews are filled with useful, probing queries on career challenges, ethical responsibilities, and even equality--as evidenced in an interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook. The author also questions the interviewees about the keys to their industry durability and longevity through volatile economic, social, and political instability and their humanitarian initiatives and philanthropic foundations. Rubenstein also shares his own personal history, emphasizing the indispensable nature of a solid work ethic and how, as a young New York attorney, he was immensely influenced by John F. Kennedy. Though the collection would have benefitted from a wider selection of racially diverse contributors--notwithstanding the inclusion of Winfrey, Ma, and PepsiCo. CEO Indra Nooyi--the profiles are worthwhile, especially for college students and both aspiring and established entrepreneurs eager to discover the unique perspectives of today's distinguished leaders. A cleverly organized motivational collection brimming with wisdom and business acumen.

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Starred review from July 1, 2020
As host of his PBS interview show, The David Rubenstein Show, businessman and philanthropist Rubenstein (The American Story, 2019) shares his unparalleled access to many influential leaders, using his stature and experience to provide insights otherwise unavailable to many. Here, readers find interviews from a dizzying array of famous people?Q&A sessions that probe the nature of each individual's success and his or her legacy. An introduction launches into Rubenstein's ruminations on life; his 12 attributes of leadership, from luck and focus to failure and integrity; plus his belief that real success occurs during the second and third "thirds" of life on earth. He then organizes his 30 contributors into six categories: visionaries, builders, transformers, commanders, decision makers, and masters. Readers will want to keep a pen handy: Most of our regrets are acts of omission (Jeff Bezos). Your legacy is every life that you've touched (Oprah). Data is actually sexist (Melinda Gates). If you're willing to make the trade-offs that you need to make, you can have it all (Indra Nooyi). Words for life.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

August 1, 2020

This book contains 30 interviews and aims "to provide the reader with the leadership perspectives of different kinds of leaders, with the hope that readers might be inspired to develop or enhance their own leadership skills." The interviewees span a broad range, from former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to Jeff Bezos of Amazon to Indra Nooyi of Pepsico to retired general and former CIA chief David Petraeus. Some of those included are more public opinion influencers than leaders per se (e.g., Oprah Winfrey). In keeping with the inspirational purpose of the book the interviews are generally friendly in tone and often not very probing. Rubenstein (The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians) tries to draw some conclusions in his introduction but it seems a stretch. The most one will find here is informal advice or the occasional insight. For example, former U.S. National Security Adviser Colin Powell speaks of the importance of "inspiring followers." However, some of the interviews manage to draw out the personalities of the interviewees and these tend to be the most interesting. VERDICT This is more successful as a set of biographical interviews or personality profiles than as a guide to effective leadership.--Shmuel Ben-Gad, Gelman Lib., George Washington Univ., Washington, DC

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