Rumsfeld's Rules

Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

By: Donald Rumsfeld

Narrated by: Donald Rumsfeld

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

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

Great Stories Told by a True Leader

I greatly appreciated reading this book. The stories told were so detailed, provided insights to important historical events, and gave perspective on leadership decisions as they unfolded many times on the world stage. Donald Rumsfeld provided our nation (and the world) many positive outcomes where it would have otherwise been led astray. His keen instinct, knowledge, and sense of following process are leadership skills necessary to make the hard decisions he had to make. Thanks for sharing this with the world.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Falls short

I was expecting a lot more here. Rumsfeld has a resume that others in Washington could only dream of. Not to mention that his public life spans so much of the modern era. Maybe the point of this book isn't to be a tell all behind the scenes description of Washington, I guess that's what I wanted.

The book delivers what the title promised, the authors Rules, nicely supported with anecdotes.

Insightful and broadening horizons

I bet you can find a rule or two for yourself.
It's hard tuo find a particular one though... all are forcing toy tuo think.
Great listen to a great man!

Great advice and life lessons

I listen to this book every few years to remember the lessons Rumsfeld's personal story attributes to our younger generation

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.