Book

A Higher Loyalty

: Truth, Lies, and Leadership

In his book, former FBI director James Comey shares his never-before-told experiences from some of the highest-stakes situations of his career in the past two decades of American government, exploring what good, ethical leadership looks like, and how i

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James Comey (14)

“We are experiencing a dangerous time in our country, with a political environment where basic facts are disputed, fundamental truth is questioned, lying is normalized, and unethical behavior is ignored, excused, or rewarded.”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: President Trump, Trump Administration, lies by politicians

“I wrote this book because I hope it will be useful to people living among the flames who are thinking about what comes next. I also hope it will be useful to readers long after the flames are doused, by inspiring them to choose a higher loyalty, to find truth among lies, and to pursue ethical leader…”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: President Trump, Russian Investigation, Trump Administration

“For all my flaws, there is a zero percent chance that Patrice [my wife] would credit an allegation that I was with hookers peeing on each other in Moscow.”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Golden Showers, President Trump, Russian Investigation

“Donald Trump’s presidency threatens much of what is good in this nation. We all bear responsibility for the deeply flawed choices put before voters during the 2016 election, and our country is paying a high price: this president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values. His lea…”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Donald Trump vs. James Comey, Criticisms of Donald Trump, Trump Administration

“As I found myself thrust into the Trump orbit, I once again was having flashbacks to my earlier career as a prosecutor against the Mob. The silent circle of assent. The boss in complete control. The loyalty oaths. The us-versus-them worldview. The lying about all things, large and small, in service…”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Mob, Trump Administration, Donald Trump vs. James Comey

“Those years of bullying added up, minor indignity after indignity, making clear the consequences of power.”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: bullying, Power Dynamics

“What was distressing was what Trump symbolically seemed to be asking leaders of the law enforcement and national security agencies to do—to come forward and kiss the great man’s ring. To show their deference and loyalty.”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Donald Trump vs. James Comey

“I should have said something right then. After all, I hadn’t exactly been shy when it came to asserting myself to leaders in other administrations. I’m not sure it would have made a difference, but maybe I should have told the new team about the norms of behavior, developed over generations, in fits…”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Donald Trump vs. James Comey

“I have learned that ethical leaders lead by seeing beyond the short-term, beyond the urgent, and take every action with a view toward lasting values.”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Ethical Leadership

“Ethical leaders do not run from criticism, especially self-criticism, and they don’t hide from uncomfortable questions. They welcome them. All people have flaws and I have many.”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Leadership, Ethics

“I have worked with great men over the years, but two of my most important teachers about life and leadership were women.”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Learning

“Everyone lies at some point in their life. The important questions are where, about what, and how often?”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Lies, lying, Understanding Why We Lie

“Far from creating a new norm where lying is widely accepted, the Trump presidency has ignited a focus on truth and ethics. Parents are talking to their children about truth-telling, about respect for all people, about rejecting prejudice and hate. Schools and religious institutions are talking about…”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: Donald Trump vs. James Comey, American Politics, Leadership In America Under Trump

“Whatever your politics, it is wrong to dismiss the damage to the norms and traditions that have guided the presidency and our public life for decades or, in many cases, since the republic was founded. It is also wrong to stand idly by, or worse, to stay silent when you know better, while a president…”

— James Comey, amazon.com

Tagged: American Politics, Donald Trump vs. James Comey, Government Norms