How To Lead By David Rubenstein

How to Lead – A Masterclass in Leadership with David Rubenstein

Step into the minds of the world’s greatest leaders—through the eyes of one of the world’s most curious interviewers.

In this powerful and enlightening video, billionaire financier, patriotic philanthropist, and founder of The Carlyle Group, David M. Rubenstein, offers a front-row seat to decades of leadership insight. Drawing from his celebrated book How to Lead: Wisdom from the World’s Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game Changers, Rubenstein shares what he has learned from deep, candid interviews with some of the most influential figures of our time.

What Is Leadership—Really?

Leadership is more than authority or ambition. Rubenstein frames it as service, vision, and sustained curiosity. In this talk, he shares the traits that surfaced again and again across his conversations with extraordinary individuals. Common threads include:

• Passion for a purpose larger than themselves

• Discipline and sacrifice in the face of hardship

• Empathy and strong communication skills

• Willingness to take risks and learn from failure

• Persistence and humility

“People don’t follow you because you’re the boss. They follow you because they trust you.” – David Rubenstein

Featured Leaders and What They Taught Him

Rubenstein doesn’t offer armchair philosophy—he brings real-world leadership insights from his interviews with icons across business, politics, culture, and science, including:

Business Titans:

• Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon – On long-term thinking and customer obsession

• Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft – On curiosity, philanthropy, and reinvention

• Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase – On resilience and leading through crises

• Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo – On values-driven leadership and balancing family

• Ken Chenault, former CEO of American Express – On integrity and building trust

Thought Leaders & Innovators:

• Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX – On bold thinking and relentless innovation

• Tim Cook, CEO of Apple – On stewardship and honoring legacy

• Reed Hastings, founder of Netflix – On risk-taking and company culture

Political and Social Trailblazers:

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice – On perseverance, principle, and change

• Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House – On breaking barriers and staying the course

• Hank Paulson, former U.S. Treasury Secretary – On decision-making under pressure

Cultural and Media Icons:

• Oprah Winfrey, media mogul – On authenticity and purpose-driven influence

• Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike – On vision, brand, and grit

• Yo-Yo Ma, world-renowned cellist – On collaboration and emotional intelligence

Why This Matters to You

If you’re an entrepreneur, executive, manager, or simply someone who wants to lead a more intentional and meaningful life—this conversation is a treasure trove. Rubenstein doesn’t just talk about leadership—he extracts its essence from those who have shaped the world through it.

You’ll walk away with:

• Clear themes and traits shared by great leaders

• Lessons you can apply to your team, business, and personal life

• A renewed sense of purpose and belief in what is possible

“You can’t lead others unless you’re willing to lead yourself first.” – David Rubenstein