Summary: Business leaders often struggle in politics because their achievement-driven mindset clashes with the compromises required in governance. Donald Trump, for example, focused on personal success rather than political collaboration, leading to frustration and ineffective leadership. Successful political leaders, like Abraham Lincoln, prioritize character and public service over personal ambition.
it turns out that what makes people successful in business is a risk factor for failure in politics. (View Highlight)
the achievement-minded “president actively strives to accomplish things but becomes frustrated, dislikes the job, and ends up defeating himself.” (View Highlight)
Achievement strivers thrive when they’re in charge of their own destiny, free to build whatever walls they please. When they find themselves running into walls instead, they’re often willing to do whatever it takes to attain success and avoid failure. Especially if they’ve fallen short of their own past accomplishments—and even if it means crossing legal or moral lines. (View Highlight)
Paul Graham, “The persistent are like boats whose engines can’t be throttled back. The obstinate are like boats whose rudders can’t be turned.” (View Highlight)