Tony Blair writes 'the leadership manual he wishes he had received in 1997'

Tony Blair and the Labor Party came to power in a landslide victory in 1997. Photo: Getty Images/Pater MacDiarmid

Sir Tony Blair wrote the leadership manual he said he wished he had in 1997, which many will see as a manual for Sir Keir Starmer.

The guide for the “busy, ambitious leader” is based on the experiences of the former prime minister, whom he describes as “the national football coach of a football-mad nation” where everyone thinks they can succeed. best work.

This will be seen as a timely intervention as Labor leads in the polls ahead of the general election expected this autumn.

Sir Tony said the Quick Start Guide was neither an academic work nor intended to be comprehensive. Rather, he offers advice on the «painful» privilege of power and the move from «talk» to «deed» — a sharp observation as Labor seeks to break free from opposition after 14 years.

He said: “Running a country is in some ways a bit like being the national football coach of a football-mad nation. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone thinks they can do it, and will do it better than you.

“The role of a leader is, of course, a privilege, but a privilege that is painful. The most painful part? To achieve the goal. You come to power as a great persuader. You manage like a CEO. Persuasion is conversation. Management is action.

“The good news is that there is a wealth of experience and examples – good and bad – to emulate or learn from. This book is not an academic work and is not intended to be comprehensive. This is a concise guide to management for the busy and aspiring leader.»

In a press release promoting the book, publishers Hutchinson Heinemann called it the «guide to political leadership» that Sir Tony «wished he had back in 1997.» , when New Labor came to power with a landslide victory.

Written in “short, insightful chapters,” the guide will share “insights he gleaned from his personal experience and first-hand observation of other world leaders, both during his time in office and beyond,” including through the formation their international thinking. tank, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Tony Blair will share insights from his experiences in the guide. Photo: AFP/Johnny Eggitt

It will address the answers to the “key questions” about how a leader should set up a command center, prioritize the right plan, and hire the best people. and balance short-term wins with long-term changes.

The reference to dealing with “unforeseen events” suggests that this may tap into Sir Tony's lessons learned from crises such as the 2005 London bombings.

< p>The guide will also look at «the best ways to deal with obstructionist or inert bureaucracies», attracting investment, reforming health and education, keeping ordinary people safe and harnessing rapidly evolving technology.

Publisher Nigel Wilcoxon said: » Our leaders need clear, concise leadership and that is exactly what Tony Blair provides. In a year when citizens in so many countries are heading to the polls, his book could not be more timely.”

Hutchinson Heinemann will publish the book in physical, digital and audio editions in the UK in September. .