Iger's ten principles for true leadership, listed in the prologue and tested through the rest of the book.
Robert Iger's framework, from The Ride of a Lifetime, pp. 6 to 19.
Optimism
A pragmatic enthusiasm for what can be achieved, because people are not energised by pessimists.
Courage
The foundation of risk-taking, since fear of failure destroys creativity.
Focus
Put time, energy and resources into the few things of highest value and communicate them clearly and often.
Decisiveness
Make every decision in a timely way, balancing diverse opinion against the need to decide.
Curiosity
A deep and abiding curiosity finds new people, places and ideas and starts innovation.
Fairness
Treat people decently, give second chances for honest mistakes and avoid a culture of fear.
Thoughtfulness
Take the time to gain knowledge so opinions and decisions are informed.
Authenticity
Be genuine and honest, and do not fake anything.
The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection
Refuse mediocrity and 'good enough' without sliding into perfectionism at all costs.
Integrity
Set high ethical standards for people and product, because the way you do anything is the way you do everything.
From chapter: Prologue, pp. 6–19
Iger opens in June 2016 at the opening of Shanghai Disneyland, a project that took eighteen years, and describes the week in which the Pulse nightclub shooting and the death of a two-year-old boy at a Disney resort landed on him together. He issues a statement himself, phones the boy's father and promises to do everything to prevent a repeat, then goes on stage to open the park. He uses the week to show how a leader triages, compartmentalises and refuses to hide behind a spokesperson. He closes the prologue with the ten principles he believes true leadership needs and says the rest of the book is organised chronologically around them.
