Bush Lessons

• Power has to be built. From his close observation of his father’s presidency, Bush knew that the job comes with little reservoir of power. A president has to work hard to fill that reservoir in order to get anything done.

• Target your effort. Both in Texas and in Washington, Bush was convinced that too many goals were worse than no goals at all. A focused strategy was the keystone of success.

• Broaden the base. Many key players can make the difference in achieving the agenda. Discovering who they are and how to win their support—or blunt their opposition—requires a subtle combination of the tools at the president’s disposal.

• Reach deeply to engage all team members. Winning loyalty from the inner team is one thing. Everyone sets their compass by the budget; using the budget to focus managers’ energy improves the odds that everyone sails in the same direction.