Trump's erratic approach isn't random; it's a strategy to create chaos and uncertainty. This keeps adversaries off-balance, allowing him to exploit openings that emerge, much like a disruptive CEO. He is comfortable with instability and uses it as a tool for negotiation and advantage.

The traditional model of being either a wartime or peacetime leader is outdated. In today's volatile environment, leaders must be fluid, adapting their style day-to-day to handle both long-term strategic initiatives (peacetime) and immediate crises like unexpected tariffs (wartime).

Contrary to the popular advice to 'hire great people and get out of their way,' a CEO's job is to identify the three most critical company initiatives. They must then dive deep into the weeds to guarantee their success, as only the CEO has the unique context and authority to unblock them.

Effective long-term leadership isn't static; it's an 'accordion' that flexes between deep involvement and granting autonomy. This adaptive approach is key for different company seasons, knowing when to lean into details and when to empower the team to make 'foot fault' mistakes and learn.

In leadership, especially during conflict, you have a choice. You can be a 'thermometer,' merely reacting to the emotional temperature of the room, or a 'thermostat,' actively setting and controlling it. Great leaders intentionally manage the environment, calming panic or creating urgency as needed, rather than mirroring the ambient mood.

If a decision has universal agreement, a leader isn't adding value because the group would have reached that conclusion anyway. True leadership is demonstrated when you make a difficult, unpopular choice that others would not, guiding the organization through necessary but painful steps.

Effective leadership isn't about one fixed style. It’s about accurately reading a situation and adapting your approach—whether to be directive, empathetic, or demanding. Great leaders know that leading senior executives requires a different approach than managing new graduates.

Ari Emanuel describes his leadership style as a "democratic dictatorship." This involves gathering diverse opinions from all levels of the operation to inform decisions, but ultimately retaining centralized authority to make the final call. This balances collaborative input with decisive leadership, crucial for managing fluid businesses.

A former National Security Council staffer observed that President Trump's decisions often seemed counterintuitive in the moment but were later revealed as brilliant strategic "chess moves." This pattern built a high degree of trust among staff, enabling them to execute his vision without always understanding the immediate rationale.