Indispensable Newsletter #2

Welcome back to the Indispensable Newsletter!

It’s our second issue, and if you were here for the first one, I’m glad to see you again.

If you liked it enough to come back, will you share it with a friend or two who may enjoy it also? Forward it their way and let them know how much fun we’re having.

And since you’re here, you might also enjoy my new book, Picking Presidents. Check that out if you haven’t yet. If you have, be sure to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads!

Okay, enough of that… Let’s dive in!

In this issue, we’ve got a deep dive into the world’s newest favorite leader: Volodymyr Zelensky, new podcast episodes, some exciting GM appearances out in the world, and a few nuggets of wisdom to leave you with.

Thanks for joining me.

Deep Dive: You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Be Exceptional

If you’re still unsure what defines an unfiltered leader, try this criterion:

Did they gain fame for playing an instrument with their genitals—on national television—and still go on to be elected president?

If yes, they are likely an unfiltered leader.

They’re probably also Volodymyr Zelensky. 

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It seems counterintuitive, but most leaders’ ratings skyrocket during times of crisis. There’s a “rally ‘round the flag” effect. Crises also create opportunities for change: leaders get to do things they wouldn’t normally do, and that’s exciting and inspiring. 

Essentially, even the most traditionally filtered leaders get more freedom of action in a crisis. And unfiltered leaders can make huge changes in days that might otherwise take years. That means they’ll probably make some unique, great choices—and some bad ones.

I think because much of the world is in awe of Zelensky’s heroic wartime leadership, we’re generally hesitant to critique any of his choices. But there’s an important lesson about all leaders that we can learn from doing so.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Zelensky will be remembered as one of the greatest war-leaders in history. But that doesn’t mean every choice he’s made was the right one. In fact, the very first decision he made in the war was a mistake, one that had nearly-disastrous consequences.

Of course it’s easy to say that when looking back at what transpired since. At the moment, it was a reasonable choice.

Zelensky was afraid of the economic and morale consequences of mobilization, and could not be certain of the reliability of American intelligence after the debacle of the Iraq War. (The New York Times detailed this well if you want to read more.) He absolutely didn’t want to instigate war if Russia was playing chicken, and mobilizing early sends a strong message. Nonetheless, he handed Russia a significant tactical advantage—and his forces suffered avoidable casualties—by waiting to move in those early days of the invasion.

Even still, his ratings are sky high and most of the world is rallying around Zelensky. He’s the hero of chaotic times, and he’s proven himself through countless opportunities as a leader driven by courage, honor, and resilience.

What’s the point of making this critique? Because it shows us that you don’t have to be perfect to be an exceptional leader. Sure, Zelensky has made some mistakes over the past year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. How could he not have?

The important thing is not his mistakes, it’s that his overall performance has been extraordinary. He will be remembered in the same class as Abraham Lincoln or David Ben-Gurion—national leaders whose extraordinary abilities were the key to success in their nation’s darkest hour.

“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”

From the Pod

World Cup fever recently struck the globe, and with that in mind, I thought it would be great to welcome my friend and former student Vlatko Andonovski, head coach of the US Women’s National Soccer team to the pod. Joining him is Daniel Coyle, the bestselling author of The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups.

Together, we answer the question: When success means winning it all, how do you build a team to be the best? Coyle says it’s less about performance and more about learning, Andonovski believes it has to do with good management, creating relationships, and clear communication.

In the Arena

World Reimagined Podcast - SPECIAL EDITION

The tables have turned!

In a special bonus edition of the World Reimagined Podcast, I take the hot seat and get interviewed by legendary General Stan McChrystal about the inspiration behind my newest book, Picking Presidents.

Stan and I also talk about what leadership means to me, and I reveal my ultimate hero.

I also get a second chance at answering a question I missed on Jeopardy! many years ago.

The Next Big Idea Club

The good folks at The Next Big Idea Club—a book club curated by Malcom Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink—recently invited me to break down the five big ideas from my new book, Picking Presidents.

You can read the five key insights here, or you can listen to the audio version—read by yours truly—in the Next Big Idea App.

The Gist Podcast

Experience is required for filtration, but the fact that you’re experienced doesn’t make you filtered.

As I recently explained to Mike Pesca on his podcast, The Gist, filtration is the combination of EVALUATION—a process where people look at someone over the course of many years and learn everything there is to know about them—and DECISION, where the results of that evaluation are what decide whether or not someone gets the top job.

Through that process, people begin to ask themselves: “Is this someone we would want as our leader?”

Listen to my full conversation with Mike here!

Mukunda's Media: What I'm Reading, Watching, and Listening to

Wars have predominantly been fought over resources—land, crops, fossil fuel. And possession of those resources is often the key determinant of victory in war. But as economic historian Chris Miller points out in his new book, the next great war might be fought over - and victory determined by - microchips. In Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology, Miller explores the rise of the semiconductor industry and how the volatile region of Taiwan’s chokehold on manufacturing could spell trouble for the US in coming years. It’s a fascinating but chilling read that spells out how the US’s failure to invest in its own chip production significantly jeopardizes its national security.

I love all things Star Wars, and this year’s Disney+ show, Andor, is no exception. It takes place five years before the plots of Rogue One and A New Hope, and it follows Cassian Andor, a thief who eventually joins the mounting Rebellion against the villainous Empire. Well-produced and written, this season left me excited for what’s coming next.

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The Power of One

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DISCLAIMER: The views expressed herein are solely the views of the author(s) and are not necessarily the views of Rose Park Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates.