Philanthropist and Author David Rubenstein on Leadership and Travel

World Footprints

David M. Rubenstein, author of The American Story, visionary cofounder of The Carlyle Group, and host of Bloomberg TV’s The David Rubenstein Show returns to World Footprints to discuss his newest book: “How to Lead: Wisdom from the World's Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game Changers.” The billionaire philanthropist has long been fascinated with leadership. What makes a great leader? Are leaders born or are they made? Does extraordinary leadership arise from personality, mental or physical skills…or perhaps the simple good fortune of being in the right place at the right time? No surprise, good, effective and compassionate leaders are also well-traveled. Before COVID-19, David says that he was traveling 240 days a year for business. “How to Lead” reveals many leadership philosophies and principles for success by some of the world’s most famous leaders change-makers from Oprah Winfrey and YoYo Ma to Dr. Fauci, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos. In addition to his business successes, David Rubenstein is also known for his philanthropy in the Washington, DC area and his Board positions with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Council on Foreign Relations. An original signer of The Giving Pledge—a pledge taken by some of the world’s richest individuals to either give away the majority of their wealth in their lifetimes—David’s generosity has been recognized as a recipient of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy and the MoMA's David Rockefeller Award.