Acquiring all the books written by the Presidents of the United States would result in a surprisingly small collection. Although there are some anthologies of 19th century presidential documents and speeches, true autobiographies are rare, the most notable being that of Ulysses S. Grant. All that changed after Harry S. Truman. In fact, since Truman, every president, with the obvious exception of John F. Kennedy, has written some form of post-presidential memoir. His writings provide an interesting look behind the White House fence and into the rarefied atmosphere that is the United States presidency.
Of course, past presidents seem quite invested in their legacy and could be accused of writing memoirs to polish their image as they fade into history. As a history buff student, I enjoy reading these books; but, for me, its real value is the representation of what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult and unique leadership challenges that anyone can take on.
The reader of an autobiography must always keep in mind that the work is written by the subject, and therefore must be analyzed more critically. Presidential autobiographies have an additional problem in that the author knows details about the events they recount that must be forever hidden from the general public. With these cautions in mind, I read George W. Bush’s Decision Points.
President Bush took office under a cloud. The 2000 election was a difficult experience for the candidates in particular and for the country as a whole. Although this cloud would remain with his presidency for the entire eight years, to his credit Bush did not let it influence his agenda. The cornerstone of that agenda was the promotion of educational reform, until September 11, 2001.
As Bush details the events that followed that historic day, the heavy weight of leadership becomes clear. He explains his thoughts immediately after the attack and why he took the steps he did. He demonstrated that a leader is most effective when he is able to maintain outward calm and remember that people trust him or her for thoughtful leadership.
Many other events happened during the Bush years, and he is refreshingly honest about what he feels he didn’t do right. Speaking about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation of the Gulf Coast, he clearly lays out the mistakes that were made, including his decision to fly over New Orleans, rather than land. Once again, his explanation offers a good lesson for leaders.
Knowing that any presidential visit is highly disruptive, and stopping at that point would take people away from the important task of trying to save lives, it seemed like a good move to me. However, leaders must always remember that the perception of their action can have more impact than the action itself. Bush’s decision was based on his desire not to exacerbate the situation. His action was seen as the exact opposite; as a lack of concern for people who are suffering.
In the 222 years since George Washington became president in 1789, there have only been 44 presidents, making that office one of the most exclusive leadership clubs in the world. The President of the United States accepts a leadership role that is more difficult, broader, and more publicly scrutinized than any other. The way he performed in that role provides a treasure trove from which the rest of us can draw lessons to become better leaders.
For those who were paying attention during the Bush presidency, Decision Points doesn’t provide any real historical revelations, although Bush does discuss some very effective policies to help African nations fight AIDS that didn’t get much attention in the US press. There seems to be a “clearing the air” agenda and maybe even a bit of legacy management, but he would expect that and it certainly doesn’t detract from the book. Whether you thought George W. Bush was a great president, a terrible president, or something in between, if he has leadership responsibilities, you need to read this book. Its importance is insight into rare leadership challenges.