This is a fascinating book.It is not only a treatise on leadership - from someone who has done it, but at the same time is a compelling autobiography about the making of the man.
I was privileged to hear Rudolph Giuliani speak in early 2002 about the issues he faced in leading New York through the 9/11 crises. Obviously, this was uppermost in everyone's mind (he was speaking to a primarily American audience as well). Yet there is much more to him than just the 9/11 crises. It is clear to me that, even if 9/11 had not happened, he would still be hailed as a pioneering leader for the work he did in cleaning up NewYork, and dealing with problems at the core of the Big Apple. So when I discovered that he was writing his biography, I was determined to get a copy. I was only disappointed that it took me too long to get around to reading it.
Although the book starts with a blow-by-blow summary of 9/11 from his perspective, I am pleased to note that it is not the major theme of the book. It is about his leadership style and principles.
Time Travel
I get the impression the Rudolph Giuliani writes as he talks. For him, what happens in the NOW is a reflection of what has been put in place already in the past. So issues of creating a command centre for crises management bring to mind the issues of finding accommodation when he first took office. In short, the book appears at times to be written as series of flashbacks. What was established in the past will determine your ability to manage the future.
Whilst talking about 9/11, he refers back to principles of leadership which he had already put in places in the years previous to the crises. Principles that served him in good stead when he needed them.
Principles
So what are the secrets of success for Rudolph Giuliani? Each Chapter has a key principle in mind, which is examined from the standpoint of how it enabled him in his Legal Career, in later running NewYork, in dealing with Cancer, and finally in managing the response to terrorism in mainland USA.
- Put First Things First
- Prepare Relentlessly
- Make Everyone Accountable, all of the Time
- Surround Yourself with Great People
- Reflect, then Decide
- Underpromise and OverDeliver
- Develop and Communicate Strong Beliefs
- Be your Own Man
- Be Loyal, and value Loyalty
- Weddings Discretionary, Funerals Mandatory (how to be there for people when they really need to know you care)
- Stand Up to Bullies
- Study, Read and Learn Independently
- Organise around a Purpose
- Bribe only Those Who will Stay Bribed (huh ? -- well, if you read this chapter, you will understand that bribary never really works. The key point is that if a person is predisposed to help you, he will do so..)
Quite a list! Yet, from reading this book, I can see that he not only keeps them in his pocketbook, but actually applies them in his working life.
What of the future?
As I write this book review, the US elections are over for another 4 years, and it is too early to say who will be standing to replace George W. Bush in 2008. But there are already some who are touting Giuliani for this role. If I have any insight from this book, I would guess that, if he goes for the White House, his campaign will be well-organised and methodical. He will cover every eventuality. We shall see...
