Power: The Lessons of Leadership

THE PERKS OF OFFICE

Though averse to indulgence by theology and disposition, Mitt Romney admits to taking advantage of one privilege of his title. “One of the greatest benefits to being governor is that I get driven, which allows me to read in the car.” He holds particular affinity for Shakespeare — at Brigham Young University, the future executive was an English major — and political biographies: David McCullough’s John Adams, he says, “let me into the life of someone I thought was a friend.” His car is customized to ensure that neither dark of night nor gloom of tunnel will keep him from his pages. “I’ve got a special light installed.”  

Romney feels less enthusiasm for certain ceremonial duties. Repeating a maxim he picked up from former Washington Governor Gary Locke, he likes to say his time is too valuable for him to play “lunch or dinner entertainment.” But that’s not his least-favorite part of the job.  

“What’s the worst part? The toughest thing is to hug [Speaker of the House] Sal DiMasi. Just kidding!” — James Burnett