What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence

by Stephen A. Schwarzman

I’ve been fortunate to get to know the last five Presidents of the United States while they were in office: President Donald Trump, President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, and President George H.W. Bush. I was lucky to meet President Bush 41 in 1967 at Parents’ Day at Yale University at Davenport College where his son, George W. Bush was an undergraduate, one year ahead of me. George W. and his wife Laura were particularly welcoming when he was president. My wife and I saw them frequently at the White House and later at his Presidential Library and at his ranch. I met President Barack Obama during his 2008 Campaign and subsequently had numerous interactions with him in my position as chairman of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts where I had been appointed by President George W. Bush. During President Obama’s term in office, I also got to know Valerie Jarrett, who was always extremely responsive to my calls and helped solve a variety of important issues. President Donald Trump, whom I’ve known for over thirty years from New York, appointed me as chairman of the Strategic and Policy Forum. I’ve been privileged to have Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin as a very good friend for decades and have met Ambassador Robert Lighthizer through my friendship with the Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, whom I’ve known for over thirty years as well. I’d also like to thank Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump for their public service and...