George W. Bush is one of my living heroes. I know he is considered polarizing by some, but that’s one of the things I most admire–he was a principled leader and wasn’t afraid to make a stand for those principles. That’s why getting to meet him last Saturday, August 27th at a fundraiser for Heritage Christian University was a big deal for me. Most people never get a chance to meet a living hero. I consider it an incredible blessing that I did.
He spoke about his time in the oval office and about his new book, Decision Points. I’m also reading the book, which I recommend. I’m sure he had a ghost writer, but the tone of the book is very similar to W’s speaking style and personality. It is also structured around the key decision points of his life and term, giving the reader a peak into the how and why of those decisions. Both the anecdotal stories and the reasoning behind his decisions are fascinating. His grasp and exercise of management science and logical decision-making is impressive. While one may not agree with the end decision, his process was always measured and principle driven.
First, some general observations about President Bush.
- He has incredible presence and uses eye contact in even the most trivial of interactions. We had the chance to actually shake his hand and meet him twice. First when he arrived at a private dinner where we were fortuitous enough to be seated next to his table, and again in a photo opportunity. At the dinner, he came into the room and shook hands with my wife and sister-in-law first, then my brother and myself. He made eye contact with all of us, offering a smile and making small talk. During the photograph, he took his time to speak with us, even joking about my brother’s and my height. He joked with us about playing basketball with his brothers growing up.
- He is a real person. His speech was well constructed and organized, but it came across as conversational and real including the occasional short stumble or need to correct himself. It was not some dramatic exchange performed from a teleprompter with pauses and changes of volume to cause a reaction in the crowd. He didn’t try to convince us he was correct but gave a very matter-of-fact telling of what happened and how he made a decision to deal with it.
- He amazed me with how disciplined he was juggling decisions and presidential authority, while managing to maintain his own personality and nature.
- Human beings are born to live free lifes. They yearn for freedom and will eventually, in the face of oppression, find ways to freedom if educated and given opportunity.
- President Bush said the single most important decisions he made during his time in office were those that served to protect the American people, including controversial ones like interrogation techniques and the Patriot Act. He said that he knew those decisions would result in harsh criticism, but he felt then and still feels now that they were the best options available to maximize protection while minimizing the restriction of a citizen’s personal liberty and freedoms. He doesn’t regret those decisions because America avoided another domestic terror attack for the remainder of his term.
- Putin story about Barney and US-Russian relations: It was obvious that President Bush loved his dog Barney, a Scottish terrier. He even told stories about watching baseball games with Barney to enjoy some downtime while president. A very funny story was about Vladmir Putin visiting President Bush and meeting Barney, where he told the president that Barney was too small and weak to be a president’s dog. President Bush said he let the comment roll off his back, although he wasn’t happy that his dog was just “dissed” by Putin. A year later, President Bush was visiting with Putin in St. Petersburg. Putin took President Bush to see his dog, a black labrador named Koni, and told President Bush he is, “bigger, tougher, faster, stronger, and meaner.” President Bush said that summed up US-Russian relations.
- President Bush told the story of receiving a call from the prime minister of Japan on September 12th. In that call, the Japanese prime minister made a commitment to support the US any way needed as the US rebuilt and defended its freedom. President Bush used this anecdote to evidence the power of democracy. 50 years earlier both of their fathers had fought each other in World War II. Now, after Japan embraced freedom and democracy, here were the sons calling to support one another in defense of freedom. Democracies are natural allies and do not attack one another. The same can’t be said for any other form of government.
- Direct quote– “If you want to cause a kerfuffle in Washington, just say the word abstinence.”
- Optimism. It is impossible to lead anything without optimism and a strong belief that you can and will accomplish your goals. It’s one of the first lessons of leadership.
- Principle-based leadership is the only way to effectively lead. Always stick to principles, even if everyone else abandons those principles. Surround yourself with people smarter than you that share those principles. The only way to look back and say “I may have made mistakes, but they were honest mistakes and I gave it my all in the process,” is by living life and making decision around those principles.
- Let history judge your accomplishments and have courage in those things you know to be right.
