back George W. Bush Successful bill clinton In the White House, the two men were not politically distant. In fact, during Bush’s second term, he called his opponents about twice a year to discuss the challenges he faced.
“He asked for my opinion,” Clinton recalled in a video. Retweet on social media. “Half the time he disagrees, but I feel good about it. I think it’s a very healthy thing.”
For Clinton, the exchange reflected a broader principle that goes well beyond politics: Success often depends on learning from others who think differently and breaking free of your own constraints.
“You have to develop people who know things you don’t know and have skills you don’t know — and yes, that’s teachable,” Clinton added.
“If nothing else, we can help people out. Everyone has a story and a dream, and if we can help people out sometimes, they can achieve it.”
even in such an era Careers seem more competitive And more polarizing than ever, climbing to the top feels like a solo sport. However, the Bush-Clinton relationship made it clear that there are real benefits to seeking new perspectives, even if it comes from your staunchest critics.
Presidents Bush and Clinton agree: Success is never a straight line
Although both Bush and Clinton are now remembered as two-term presidents, neither of them planned a straight route to the Oval Office in their youth. Like most professions, their careers are shaped as much by setbacks and detours as they are by ambition
Bush believes that a strict life plan can actually do more harm than good.
“People who map out their lives at age 18 and say, ‘This is my life plan,’ are often surprised and maybe even disappointed,” Bush said in a 2011 speech. AARP interview.
“I think you should keep an open mind about where life takes you. One thing I learned as president is that your life is not going to unfold the way you want it to. There are going to be surprises, there are going to be challenges, and so the question is how you deal with the unexpected.”
Clinton’s own path tells a similar story. Before entering the White House, he lost his first political campaign when he ran for Congress in the 1970s. Rather than letting failure define him, he regrouped — and later won election to become Arkansas attorney general, then governor, and ultimately president.
“If you are broken by failure, you allow others to define your life, your worth, and your tomorrow,” Clinton Tell College students in 2013. “You know, if you’ve lost a lot of yesterday – welcome to humanity. But you don’t have to give anyone your tomorrow. I think that’s the most important thing to remember.”
Your competition can be your best career asset—just look at Steve Jobs’ relationship with Larry Ellison and Bill Gates
The same dynamics extend far beyond politics. The idea of learning from competitors and maintaining strong relationships in a competitive environment is equally common in the business world.
Steve Jobsfor all his Reputation as a fierce competitorwho maintains close ties to other tech giants, including those whose companies directly compete apple. Oracle Founder Larry Ellison Jobs is often described as his best friend.
“Apple became the most valuable company on earth, but that wasn’t even one of Steve’s goals,” Ellison explain. “He’s not trying to be rich. He’s not trying to be famous. He’s not trying to be powerful. He’s obsessed with the creative process and creating beautiful things.”
Jobs’ relationship with Microsoft Co-founder bill gates It turns out to be even more important. In 1997, when Apple was in trouble, Gates invested $150 million in the company, a move that is credited with helping stabilize the business at a critical moment.
“Bill, thank you” Steve Jobs Tell Gates at the time. “The world is a better place.”
Gates has long embraced a leadership truism that mirrored the Bush-Clinton dynamic: Progress often depends on being open to perspectives outside of one’s own camp.
“We all need people who can give us feedback,” Gates said at a conference. TED talk 2013. “That’s how we improve.”