A Higher Loyalty

A Higher Loyalty shares James Comey’s experiences as the director of the FBI and outlines what he learned about leadership, ethics, and politics throughout his life, career, and experiences with President Trump who was the reason he lost his job in May of 2017.

Comey’s life began in New York but he moved to New Jersey as a child. His mom gave him haircuts and patched up his old clothes to save money, making him a target for bullies. It didn’t help that he was also scrawny and had a habit of talking too much.

But the bullying taught him some important life lessons. He says one of these was learning to read people. But what’s more, he says this bullying gave him his deep desire to help the defenseless.

Another formative experience from his youth was working for a man named Harry Howell at a grocery store. Howell taught him how to be a good leader by showing him that you can be powerful and have compassion at the same time. Howell worked hard and had high standards, but he knew when it was necessary to show mercy when people made mistakes.

Another major shaping moment for Comey was when he was robbed in his own home at just sixteen. The man held him and his brother at gunpoint and demanded money. The event was terrifying, but they both survived without harm.

Naturally, it had a deep effect on him personally. For the first time, he reflected on what was important in life and decided he would choose a career that would help people directly.

Comey began working as the FBI director in 2014, under President Obama. In his time working with Obama, he was deeply impressed with how effective and intelligent Obama was as a leader. Comey lists six traits that make a great leader, they are: A strong sense of decency and integrity Possessing the confidence to be humble A fair balance of toughness and kindness Transparency in their motivations An awareness that everyone wants their work to be meaningful The understanding that words are important, but actions are even more important. Comey says Obama had many of these qualities, and also a great sense of humor. After a string of police incidents in 2015 that brought extreme racial tension to the country, Comey tried to give a unifying speech at a press conference. As FBI director, he couldn’t pick sides with either Black Lives Matter or Police Lives Matter, so he just made everyone angry. When Comey talked to Obama afterward, the president listened intently to what he had to say, taking time to see all viewpoints. Afterward, Obama respectfully took him into the perspective of…