Lead Like Reagan Book Reviews by Jeff Bush

By Dan Quiggle

• It’s easy to assume we have all the answers as leaders. In reality, the ability to learn, apply, and adapt is what differentiates mediocre leaders from exceptional ones.

• Learning is what distinguishes those who are merely doing a job from those who pursue excellence.

• Investing in your leadership is investing in success.

• It’s not how eloquently your words are, but the fact that your words mean something.

• Vision is key, but nothing will happen without steps to accomplish the vision.

• You cannot be intimidated by being outshined by others.

• A true leader recognizes the need to surround himself with excellence and is wise enough to create an environment where advice is received.

• Be a lifelong learner. 

• People are motivated by appreciation.

• Identify and encourage the motivations that are within the lives of others.

• When you’re going to hire someone, look for GOLD:

1. 1. 1. Grateful 
      2. Optimism 
      3. Loyal
      4. Determination — not victim or quit when hard 

• If people can have sustainability and get along with others, they’ll make it. 

• Fire when you need to, but hire wisely and you won’t need to fire as much. 

• Invest in your organization by investing in those that work in your organization. 

• Make others feel needed, valued, and appreciated.

• To improve your communication:

1. 1. 1. 1. Substance 
         2. Significance
         3. Sincerity 
         4. Sell it. Believe it yourself 
         5. Say it, and repeat it.
         6. Say it again and again. Consistently say the same thing every time you speak.
         7. Symbolize it. Personify what you are saying. 
         8. Stance. Body language speaks louder than words. 
         9. Specialize it. Speak specifically to the audience you are with, not over their head or not below them.
         10. Study. Study, prepare, and know more about your subject than anyone else.
         11. Style. There are many ways to speak, but find and stick with your style.
         12. Simplify. Do not use big words. People do not understand.
         13. Solicit. Invite help from others.
         14. Stories. Give stories of what you are teaching about.
         15. Smile. Nothing is more engaging than when you smile when it is appropriate. It is contagious. 

• When you are speaking, seek to make an impact and not just make a point.

• A lot of problems would disappear if we learned to talk to each other instead of about each other.

• Great leadership requires much more than education. It requires relational and emotional traits.

• In leadership, you have to prioritize and focus on fewer areas. 

• A leader must delegate and empower others. 

• There is no long-term if you do not take care of the immediate short term.

• Heroes are not braver than everyone else, they are just braver for five minutes longer than others.

• Instead of just doing the same you did yesterday, learn to implement deconstruction. If things need to be changed, then evaluate, break them down, and change them.

• Reagan kept the following four words on his desk: “it can be done.” He reminded himself that anything can be done.

• When there is no room for change, there’s no room for growth.

• When a crisis comes your way, realize that others are watching. This is a time to show leadership excellence.

• The greatest opportunities can come from overcoming a crisis with character in conviction

• There is power in gratitude.

• Reagan was a man of discipline. He was committed to people and policies more than his own agenda.

• Small habits today make up your lasting impact.