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Rumsfeld’s Rules audiobook

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Rumsfeld’s Rules Audiobook Summary

The man once named one of America’s ten “toughest” CEOs by Fortune magazine offers current and future leaders practical advice on how to make their companies and organizations more effective.

Throughout his 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.”

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.

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Rumsfeld’s Rules Audiobook Narrator

Donald Rumsfeld is the narrator of Rumsfeld’s Rules audiobook that was written by Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld has been an American government official and corporate executive. Rumsfeld served as CEO as two Fortune 500 companies and as the thirteenth and twenty-first Secretary of Defense.

About the Author(s) of Rumsfeld’s Rules

Donald Rumsfeld is the author of Rumsfeld’s Rules

Rumsfeld’s Rules Full Details

Narrator Donald Rumsfeld
Length 9 hours 4 minutes
Author Donald Rumsfeld
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date May 14, 2013
ISBN 9780062292452

Subjects

The publisher of the Rumsfeld’s Rules is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Business & Economics, Organizational Development

Additional info

The publisher of the Rumsfeld’s Rules is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062292452.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Chad

October 05, 2017

The US has benefited for many decades the wisdom and knowledge of Don Rumsfeld. Two weeks ago we hosted the former SecDef at National War College where he regaled students and faculty alike with stories of his time in government. This book, as he admits early, is a collection of pithy expressions and quotes he put in a box and then eventually compiled them into a book. It is a wonderful book of valuable lessons for any aspiring leader, in government or business. I thoroughly enjoyed the reaffirmation of his perspective with an understanding that being a leader is a human endeavor and not always a popularity contest. I rarely give books a 5 here, but to me this one deserves it!

James

August 18, 2013

This is a collection of bits of advice that Mr. Rumsfeld has been collecting for 60+ years. They come from many sources and are presented with brief explanations and examples of their application. The best part are the anecdotes from his career and other government, military and business leaders that illustrate the wisdom they embody and the perils of ignoring them. In Rumsfeld’s lexicon they might be “known knowns”, or perhaps “unknown knowns”, things we know but don’t realize that we do. It would be unfortunate should some bypass this book because they disagree with his politics, because, while I didn’t encounter any blinding revelations, it is filled with sensible advice for all who would be leaders. Chapter 13, “The Case For Capitalism” should be required reading for liberal arts students; their professors certainly haven’t got a clue. Since it’s not a narrative it’s an easy read that you can dip into over time and is well worth it.

Clara

July 15, 2013

Over 8 decades of living Don Rumsfeld has accumulated leadership rules that are helpful to anyone in business, government or just in life. This is one of those books that just keeps giving wisdom to the reader. It is a book that I could refer to many, many times. I think I would have found this book helpful when I started my career many years ago. Most of his rules are common sense. When these rules are ideas from others he gives credit to the other person.

Maciek

April 05, 2018

Donald Rumsfeld is one of the men that I kept watching in tv news for almost my whole life. Buying that book I was not especially interested in his achievements or career, but the idea of the book seduced me. This is an expanded version of so-called "Rumsfeld Rules" - the list of quotes, ideas, lessons that Mr. Rumsfeld was jotting down since he was a teenager and kept these notes in a shoe box. Later, when he served in White House he gave a collection of those quotes divided into a couple of sections to president Ford, and since then "Rumsfeld Rules" are handed in employees of the White House. I always shared the same mindset - it is better to learn from someone else's experience as this is the cheapest way of learning.I did not disappoint myself. What is more, I discovered how interesting person Rumsfeld was, an aviator in Navy, Congressman, Ambassador, Secretary of the Defense (the role that was known to me) and a CEO of a couple of top US companies (total surprise!). In the book, you will find pieces of advice on almost all aspects of leadership from hiring, communication to even, how to drive a meeting in a dictator-like manner. Although some of the Rumsfeld Rules are still valid, you can feel that some of them are old-school and in the remote work environment that is spreading are losing their meaning. Nevertheless, the vast majority is universal and will be universal, so you can give that book to your kids and later to grandkids so they can benefit out of it. There is no school like the old school and Mr. Rumsfeld is a headmaster.

Andrew

July 03, 2022

This book was recommended by my previous boss (O-6) to prepare me (O-3) for a tour at the Pentagon. While much of the book resonated as common sense, it was wrapped together neatly and easy to comprehend. At a macro-level, the book is geared towards senior-level management and leadership. Hello, Pentagon -- let's see if I can rock the boat a bit over the next few years...

Jeff

July 18, 2018

Loved it! It's part managerial training, part self-help, part historical. Rumsfeld is a smart guy, and has really put his intellect to its full uses in government and business.I should really get a copy of the original business rules and put them up on the wall at work! Or, just keep them tucked away in my not-so-secret drawer of treats and toys.

Lisa

March 24, 2019

Though not a fan of the administrations under which Rumsfeld served, I both enjoyed reading his anecdotes and perspective on management, leadership and collaboration. The rules are strong directives for efficient and effective use of time, talent, and resources.

Tom

August 20, 2017

This interesting book introduces the author's collection of quotes gathered over his lengthy career, and gives his personal historical context for each of them. I found myself sharing his content in several conversations. Good food for thought.

Sam

March 07, 2020

Thought provoking and informative Anyone interested in reflections on leadership in both public and private sectors accompanied by an insider’s account of several administrations would enjoy this book.

Jcr

February 28, 2019

An inside look into the only person to serve as Secretary of Defense twice. Learn more about the man and see how it measures up to the persona reported by the press.

Yasser

February 01, 2022

Regardless of what you think about the author, this book should be required reading for its widely applicable messages.

David

April 10, 2021

Outside of politics this book contains some good advice and tips for managers in business

Todd

December 17, 2019

A nice little book packed with a lifetime of wisdoms. Good practical tool.

Waqar

November 08, 2018

Perhaps one of the best books I have read this year. Very interesting, very instructive full of crisp and clear advice by a man who has served in the white house multiple times

Madeline

July 03, 2022

I'm a dental hygienist and a dog mom. Tbh I don't have much business reading this book, but my husband just started a new job at the Pentagon and I'm trying to be supportive. Xoxo

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