Rumsfeld's Rules

Publisher's Summary

The legendary leadership guide, distilled from a lifetime of wisdom and experience in government and business...

Throughout his long and distinguished career - as a naval aviator, a U.S. Congressman, a top aide to four American presidents, a high-level diplomat, a CEO of two Fortune 500 companies, and the only twice-serving Secretary of Defense in American history - Donald Rumsfeld has collected hundreds of pithy, compelling, and often humorous observations about leadership, business, and life. When President Gerald Ford ordered these aphorisms distributed to his White House staff in 1974, the collection became known as "Rumsfeld's Rules". First gathered as three-by-five cards in a shoebox and then typed up and circulated informally over the years, these eminently nonpartisan rules have amused and enlightened presidents, business executives, chiefs of staff, foreign officials, diplomats, and members of Congress. They earned praise from the Wall Street Journal as "Required reading", and from the New York Times which said: "Rumsfeld's Rules can be profitably read in any organization.... The best reading, though, are his sprightly tips on inoculating oneself against that dread White House disease, the inflated ego."

Meanwhile, the collection continued to grow as Rumsfeld added new rules derived from things he read, heard, or observed in more than eight decades of a remarkable life. Now, these legendary rules are made available for the first time to corporate executives. Rumsfeld has selected his most useful and important rules for effective leadership, enhanced with fresh insights and entertaining anecdotes, and discusses them in the blunt and witty style that made his Pentagon press conferences "must-see TV".

Distilled from a career of unusual breadth and accomplishment, and organized under practical topics like hiring people, running a meeting, and dealing with the press, Rumsfeld's Rules can benefit people at every stage in their careers and in every walk of life, from aspiring politicos and industrialists to recent college graduates, teachers, and business leaders.

The audiobook provides unprecedented insight into leadership, management, strategy, and life-thinking that not only helped Rumsfeld lead the Pentagon in wartime, but earned him a reputation as one of America's toughest and most effective CEOs.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2013 Donald Rumsfeld (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Outstanding rules to live by

From a lifetime of experience, Donald Rumsfeld has compiled a thoughtful list of rules to live by. I highly recommend spending time to study how these rules might apply to your own life, and even see if there are things about yourself you can change. The rules cover a broad range of topics and provide some clever insights that he's gained from his lifelong experience. I really enjoy the fact that Mr. Rumsfeld narrated this audiobook. This makes the book seem even more personable and applicable.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

like him or not

Would you listen to Rumsfeld's Rules again? Why?

this is a book about leadership not politics whether you like Mr, Rumsfeld or not his life has given him a unique opportunity to provide invaluable leadership tips

What other book might you compare Rumsfeld's Rules to and why?

The diametric opposite of this book but in the same category is the 48 Laws of Power

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A great leaders companion

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Leadership Principles!

What did you love best about Rumsfeld's Rules?

The "take aways" for a leader.

What other book might you compare Rumsfeld's Rules to and why?

I have read known and unknown it was equally good.

Any additional comments?

I have recommended this to several of my staff. I think there are some good lessons for anyone who wishes to be a leader.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good leadership lessons

Good leadership lessons, at some times it went too much into theoretical stuff, instead of practical, but still well worth a read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great guidelines for leadership.

What made the experience of listening to Rumsfeld's Rules the most enjoyable?

Information that I could use every day in my pursuit of excellence.

What about Donald Rumsfeld’s performance did you like?

The author did a great job of relating his points to the listener.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A must read

The flow of his writing was smooth and I have certainly taken some deep thoughts with the quotes he used and his perceptions.

Great read. Full of wit, wisdom and insight

This book makes me wish Rummy could've been President. Clearly an underestimated force in American politics over some 40 years. A humble man with golden, grandfatherly advice for the generations to follow.

Excellent Read!

Would you consider the audio edition of Rumsfeld's Rules to be better than the print version?

Good stuff to be mindful of. Insights throughout. You may not agree with his politics, but when it comes to day to day management, leadership, etc., his wisdom and counsel shine.

A Great Compendium of Life Lessons

Don Rumsfeld has led a long and fascinating life. This book contains his rules to live by, and anyone can benefit from listening.

The book is filled with entertaining stories and history. The book is not particularly political, although Rumsfeld is, of course, a Republican. One thing that really comes through in the book is how Rumsfeld is willing to take hard looks back at his decisions, and he is more than willing to admit mistakes or to discuss how something might have been handled in a better way. This increased my level of respect for him.

Rumsfeld narrates the book and does a good job. Sometimes, authors are not the best narrators, but not a problem here.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Well Done

Where does Rumsfeld's Rules rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great easy listen with great quotes.

What did you like best about this story?

Wasn't really a Rumsfeld fan, but had to rethink my opinion

What about Donald Rumsfeld’s performance did you like?

Did a good job