Leadership Isn’t About Control: Interview with The Reagan Legacy Foundation's Michael and Ashley Reagan

I recently went spoke to Michael Reagan - son of President Ronald Reagan, President of The Reagan Legacy Foundation, New York Times bestselling author, and syndicated columnist - and Ashley Reagan - granddaughter of President Ronald Reagan and Board Member of The Reagan Legacy Foundation.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. ​What would surprise people about you?

Michael: I was the outboard world champion in powerboat racing in 1967 and set 5 world records in powerboat racing in the 1980s. I have authored more than 5 books and I have been married to my wife Colleen for 49 years!

Ashley: I have been a private school educator for 18 years. I began teaching when I was 23 years old and became the principal at a local private school a few years ago. My mom and I are also avid runners. We have run 7 full marathons together!

Adam: What would surprise people about your father and grandfather, former President Reagan?

Michael: What surprises people the most about my father is his humility. For all his accomplishments, from film star to governor to president, he never saw himself as larger than life. He had a deep belief in the goodness of others and approached even the toughest situations with a sense of humor and a genuine desire to build relationships.

I founded The Reagan Legacy Foundation to memorialize my father’s accomplishments and to educate and inspire people worldwide to value freedom and liberty.

Ashley: For me, it’s how loving and playful he was as a grandfather. We see him as this towering figure in history, but to me, he was just “Grandpa,” a man who loved spending time with us, swimming with us, and telling jokes.

Adam: What are the best leadership lessons you learned from your time spent with President Reagan?

Michael: One of the best lessons I learned from my father is that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about empowering others. He believed in surrounding himself with people who were smarter than him in specific areas and trusting them to do their jobs. He also allowed them to take the credit. In addition, he taught me that having strong convictions is crucial, but so is being able to listen to others with different viewpoints.

Ashley: Watching how he treated people taught me that great leadership is built on respect. Whether it was a world leader or a janitor in the White House, he treated everyone with the same kindness and dignity. He never acted like he was above anyone. He also taught me that not everyone is going to like every decision you make. Sometimes you must make hard decisions and trust yourself, sometimes you have to do what you believe is right regardless of what others are telling you.

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Michael: Integrity and communication are the defining qualities of an effective leader. Without integrity, people won’t trust you. A leader also needs a clear vision to inspire others and help them see the bigger picture. And finally, communication is key—not just speaking clearly but listening well. I’d also like to emphasize that leadership is something you develop over time. It comes from experience, from failures as much as successes, and from being willing to learn from those around you.

Ashley: I’d say humility, empathy, and resilience. A leader needs to be grounded in who they are but also understand and support the people they’re leading. My grandfather never forgot where he came from, and that kept him humble. As for taking leadership to the next level, it’s about constantly learning. Leaders who stay curious and open to new ideas are the ones who succeed in the long run.

Adam: What are the best lessons you’ve learned from your experience leading a non-profit organization? What are your best applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders? 

Michael: Leading a non-profit has taught me the importance of persistence. You need to truly believe in the mission of your organization and be ready to work hard to overcome challenges. I’ve learned that it’s essential to build strong relationships with your team, and your donors. As I reflect on the life and accomplishments of my father, I embrace with gratitude his bold dreams, basic beliefs, and unwavering faith in the greatness of America and Americans. Ronald Reagan was an incredible father. While I cherish his legacy as any child of such a father would, what I am most proud of is his steadfast dedication to individual liberty and global democracy and the positive impact these values had upon our nation and our world. I created The Reagan Legacy Foundation to memorialize his accomplishments and to educate and inspire people worldwide to value freedom and liberty.

My best tip for leaders is to be genuine—people will follow someone who truly cares about the cause.

Ashley: Working with our non-profit and observing my dad and others, I’ve learned that you must stay connected to the mission. It’s easy to get bogged down in the logistics, but remembering why you started and who you’re helping keeps you motivated and on course. For anyone leading in any capacity, I think it’s essential to stay flexible and adaptable. Times change, and leaders need to be able to pivot when necessary.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?  

Michael: Forgiveness. I learned from my father that forgiveness is essential in order to heal. He was able to forgive his would-be assassin, John Hinckley Jr., and Pope John Paul II was able to forgive his would-be assassin.

Ashley: One of the most valuable lessons learned in life is that setbacks are not failures, but opportunities for growth. Challenges teach resilience, mistakes offer wisdom, perseverance shapes success, and failures are lessons in disguise.


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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