My experience at the White House was invaluable.
When you're at the center of the universe, you have to think quickly and size up a situation instantly because, whether you like it or not, you're going to be on the news the next day.
If your response to a problem or scandal isn't genuine, followers will sense it. And remember, by saying nothing, you're saying something.
Protect yourself by always having a record of what transpired or was said in any situation that might be considered sensitive.
If you make a mistake at work, address it as soon as possible - don't hide it.
When clients are involved in a crisis, we often start at the end. When this is over, where do you want to end up? What's your endgame? We try to start from that and work ourselves back.
We all make mistakes, and sometimes the difference that we forget is that the people we read about in the paper and on the Internet and see on TV, behind that is, at its core, a mistake.
The same qualities that we all have that are good can lead us to bad things or lead us into a crisis if we don't try to balance them.
I think that scandal and intrigue and all of those sort of things that occur behind closed doors - whether it's on the Hill or in the White House - people all find intriguing.
'Scandal' is soooo Hollywood. It's not me.
If I'm really telling someone what's coming ahead of them, then I'm going to say it, and I'm going to own those words.
Social media, for me, is just a thorn in my side. It's painful. For us in crisis, it has totally changed the way we do business. It's a big, big game changer.
You do your work, and you do the best you can. That's what my parents taught me, and I think what they were saying was, 'If you do a good job, other things may come your way.' That's really been the way my career has unfolded throughout the years.
Problems arise when we go through life relying too much or too little on particular traits, which, in turn, can lead to a crisis.
My law degree has always been incredibly helpful.
At the end of the day, I play to win, and otherwise, I wouldn't be good at my job.
When you're working in crisis situations, people have a tendency - particularly the media - to stake out your house.
