President George W. Bush used to call Bill Clinton for advice—and his message was consistently to get out of your own way
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President George W. Bush used to call Bill Clinton for advice—and his message was consistently to get out of your own way
Updated: 2026-01-23T15:44:17Z
What Bill Clinton Can Teach Us About Leadership
When it comes to leadership, few people have had as much experience as former President Bill Clinton. And one of his most valuable lessons? Getting out of your own way.
This surprising piece of advice was revealed by none other than George W. Bush, who confessed that he would often call Clinton for guidance during his presidency. And what did Clinton consistently tell him?
- "Get out of your own way," said Clinton in a recent interview.
It turns out this advice was more than just a figure of speech. Clinton explained that he was often able to see things from an outside perspective, and would encourage Bush to do the same. "I'd say, 'You're stuck on something,' or 'You need to get some fresh eyes on it.' And I think he appreciated that," Clinton said.
So what can we learn from this? For one thing, it's a reminder of the importance of surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives and opinions. Whether you're leading a team at work or just trying to make progress on a personal project, getting outside input can be incredibly valuable.
We've found that sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective to get things moving again. Why not try taking Clinton's advice for a spin? Take a step back from your latest challenge and ask yourself: am I getting in my own way?