A Passion for Leadership

Lessons on Change and Reform from Fifty Years of Public Service

By: Robert M. Gates

Narrated by: George Newbern

From the former secretary of defense and author of the acclaimed #1 best-selling memoir Duty, a characteristically direct, informed, and urgent assessment of why big institutions are failing us and how smart, committed leadership can effect real improvement regardless of scale.

Across the realms of civic and private enterprise alike, bureaucracies vitally impact our security, freedoms, and everyday life. With so much at stake, competence, efficiency, and fiscal prudence are essential, yet Americans know these institutions fall short. Many despair that they are too big and too hard to reform.

Robert Gates disagrees. Having led change successfully at three monumental organizations—the CIA, Texas A&M University, and the Department of Defense—he offers us the ultimate insider’s look at how major bureaus, organizations, and companies can be transformed, which is by turns heartening and inspiring and always instructive.

With practical, nuanced advice on tailoring reform to the operative culture (we see how Gates worked within the system to increase diversity at Texas A&M); effecting change within committees; engaging the power of compromise (“In the real world of bureaucratic institutions, you almost never get all you want when you want it”); and listening and responding to your team, Gates brings the full weight of his wisdom, candor, and devotion to civic duty to inspire others to lead desperately needed change.

©2015 Robert M. Gates (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Selection, Huffington Post 5 Political Books for Insight This Election Season (2016)
Selection, Publishers Weekly Business & Economics Top 10 for Fall 2015

"The book [politicians] should all admit to reading--and actually read... Refreshingly nonideological... Mr. Gates preaches the value of civility, internal transparency, and work-life balance." —The Wall Street Journal

“[Gates] brings [his suggestions] to life through stories of his own powerful and critical leadership roles.” —The Washington Post, Nine Leadership Books to Watch for in 2016

"Characteristically direct, informed and urgent... [Gates] offers us the ultimate insider’s look at how major bureaus, organizations and companies can be transformed, which is by turns heartening and inspiring and always instructive... Gates brings the full weight of his wisdom, candor, and devotion to civic duty to inspire others to lead desperately needed change." —Long Island Weekly

Another Book on Basic Common Sense

What did you love best about A Passion for Leadership?

Sec Gates tells it like it is to an audience that seems to have difficulty finding common sense.

What other book might you compare A Passion for Leadership to and why?

Duty, his last book. Gates is what American leaders should be.

Which character – as performed by George Newbern – was your favorite?

N/A

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, I just love Sec Gates and because he was willing to man up, exercise authority and do the right thing regardless of politics he saved American soldiers' lives with MRAPS. I witnessed it personally in Iraq.

Any additional comments?

Sec Gates is one of very few people that I would like to meet personally. He is a quiet professional and what every American leader should aspire to be like. I have some issues with some of his policies but the respect he garners because of his composure and capacity make those things matters of mild disagreement and surely things that are insignificant in the greater scheme of things.

The fact that Sec Gates is no longer in government is a great loss to America. There are very few like him and anyone interested in understanding what real leadership entails needs to read this book.

leadership and challenges

This was an amazing learning experience about true leadership and if you're one of those.

excellent book, Gates does it again!

what a great book. every leader should read and learn these lessons well. Duty was good but this book was a masterpiece of leadership and change.

Character and humility

This book was required reading for my first MPA class and I can see why. The principles of good leadership espoused in this book seem like something from a past era. Gates, now in his 70's sets the bar appropriately high for what a good leader should be and do in this book. His call for humility and admission that everyone has flaws, helps season this book some grace that mainly about keeping high standards, acting professionally and respectfully.

There were times I felt I was being lectured by a moral authority figure in the book, but ai believe this is because the man himself is just so daunting as a professional. It's nothing like reading a folksy, feel good political memoir. Gates is all business in this book.

That's not to say there aren't humorous passages, but that he seems primarily interested in conveying his principles and values to the reader in order to pass on what he has learned and foster a continuing call to principle and integrity.

Overall, this is not the most enjoyable read, but contains great thoughts about leadership from a man who had a distinguished career in public service.

Lots of great insights

Any additional comments?

I saw Robert Gates on CBS This Morning and it made me want to check out the book. I found it to be full of good insights and leadership examples (both good and bad). I was delighted to find that the book wasn't political -- it really was about leadership. It provided takeaway lessons that I could apply to my own career. In fact, I put some of the best practices into action in a recent interview and got the job!

A Leadership Course I Would Take

I have used concepts suggested in this book to do my job and live my life. The message is clear, practical, and without a bunch of grandstanding. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Best book on leadership

Best book on leadership that I have read to date. Pertains to public and private sectors alike. Highly recommend!!

One of the best books ever.

Gates does a great job in a professional manner explain the problems face by civil servants in a system that is overtaken by lackluster politicians and bureaucrats while also identifying good management and leadership techniques.

Robert Gates is an exceptional leader or always put country and his people before self. This book should be a must read for everyone who does or seeks to work in government included those individuals elected and appointed.

Personal integrity and personal behavior on the job and off are important, perhaps central, qualities of an effective leader.

Chapter 6 is the center of this excellent book on the effective leader. His observations parallel mine during my 45 years in the scientific endeavors which made up my career. It also pointed out a number of personal shortcomings which plagued me over the decades. This is an excellent book for those genuinely interested in self-improvement in leadership roles.

Excellent leadership read!

This book should be required reading for all government employees and contractors, and especially politicians Robert Gates has credibility through his record of Excellence..