What Tony Blair teaches us about leadership

I’m currently reading Tony Blair on Leadership. Whatever you think about Blair and his own record as a leader, I have found a few interesting key takeaways that struck me as valuable for any leader, regardless of sector.

Give people what they need, not what they want

Blair highlights that leadership isn’t about chasing down every demand or trying to meet every opinion. As he puts it, "The Leader sets out for the people what they need and not simply what they want. Otherwise, the Leader is just a follower". He draws on Henry Ford’s famous line: "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." This principle applies to making tough decisions that can drive real, lasting change.

Establish priorities

Blair stresses the importance of setting clear priorities: "If you try to do everything you will likely end up doing nothing." He reminds us that without focusing on key reforms, we risk spreading ourselves too thin to accomplish real progress.

Have a good plan

A solid plan is essential. Blair writes, "A good plan... gives the best chance of making the plan stick". Leaders need a clear direction, while being flexible enough to adjust when necessary. He adds, "You don’t have to reinvent everything. Just because 'they' did it, doesn’t mean it is wrong," reminding us to balance innovation with what already works.

Organise the world around you to deliver

It's not just about vision; it's about execution. Blair explains, "You need to make sure that the immediate world around you is organised to deliver". This applies whether you’re managing a team or an entire organisation—success depends on having the right systems and structures in place to support your goals.

Make time to think and learn

Blair underscores the importance of managing time effectively: "Whoever runs your schedule is the most important person in your world as Leader. You need time to think, time to study and time to get the things done you came to leadership to do". Without taking time to reflect and learn, leaders risk getting bogged down by distractions. He also emphasises that "time not focused on delivering what you’re in government to do reduces your capacity to deliver".