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Trump: The Way to the Top: The Best Business Advice I Ever Received
The host of the hit reality show The Apprentice presents an invaluable collection of grounded, hard-hitting advice on business success, from people who have made it to the boss’s chair at some of America’s most thriving companies.
How can you find the way to the top?
Ask people who are already there.
Because you can’t know it all. No matter how smart you are, no matter how comprehensive your education, no matter how wide-ranging your business experience, there’s simply no way to acquire all the wisdom you need to make your business flourish. You need to learn from those who have blazed a trail before you.
Donald Trump has asked many of the brightest, most successful businesspeople he knows—and some he doesn't know—to answer this What's the best business advice you ever received? The result is a compelling resource of wisdom and wit that reveals how some of the most accomplished people conduct their personal and business affairs, giving an inside look into the secrets of corporate success. But the advice doesn’t only come from the upper echelons of the Fortune 500. Thoughts poured in from executives at thriving companies large and small, ranging from well-known icons such as Staples, American Airlines, Lillian Vernon, and Boeing to family-run operations like Orleans Homebuilders and Carlson Companies.
The Way to the Top brings together the core ideas that have guided more than 150 of today’s top businesspeople, offering a range of inspiring and practical advice on making good decisions, conducting yourself appropriately, developing your career, communicating with others, leading a team effectively, and much more. Some of the entries are simple entreaties, some portray intriguing vignettes, and others outline lists of guiding principles; all are illuminating, instructive, and insightful.
A telling to-do list for the aspiring professional, The Way to the Top belongs on every business bookshelf.
How can you find the way to the top?
Ask people who are already there.
Because you can’t know it all. No matter how smart you are, no matter how comprehensive your education, no matter how wide-ranging your business experience, there’s simply no way to acquire all the wisdom you need to make your business flourish. You need to learn from those who have blazed a trail before you.
Donald Trump has asked many of the brightest, most successful businesspeople he knows—and some he doesn't know—to answer this What's the best business advice you ever received? The result is a compelling resource of wisdom and wit that reveals how some of the most accomplished people conduct their personal and business affairs, giving an inside look into the secrets of corporate success. But the advice doesn’t only come from the upper echelons of the Fortune 500. Thoughts poured in from executives at thriving companies large and small, ranging from well-known icons such as Staples, American Airlines, Lillian Vernon, and Boeing to family-run operations like Orleans Homebuilders and Carlson Companies.
The Way to the Top brings together the core ideas that have guided more than 150 of today’s top businesspeople, offering a range of inspiring and practical advice on making good decisions, conducting yourself appropriately, developing your career, communicating with others, leading a team effectively, and much more. Some of the entries are simple entreaties, some portray intriguing vignettes, and others outline lists of guiding principles; all are illuminating, instructive, and insightful.
A telling to-do list for the aspiring professional, The Way to the Top belongs on every business bookshelf.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
37 people are currently reading
662 people want to read
About the author
Donald J. Trump
207 books1,601 followersDonald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who currently serves as the President of the United States in his second term.
Trump received a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, and his father named him president of his real estate business in 1971. Trump renamed it the Trump Organization and reoriented the company toward building and renovating skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. After a series of business failures in the late twentieth century, he successfully launched side ventures that required little capital, mostly by licensing the Trump name. From 2004 to 2015, he co-produced and hosted the reality television series The Apprentice. He and his businesses have been plaintiff or defendant in more than 4,000 state and federal legal actions, including six business bankruptcies.
Trump won the 2016 presidential election as the Republican Party nominee against Democratic Party nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton while losing the popular vote. During the campaign, his political positions were described as populist, protectionist, isolationist, and nationalist. His election and policies sparked numerous protests. He was the first U.S. president with no prior military or government experience. A special counsel investigation established that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election to favor Trump's campaign. Trump promoted conspiracy theories and made many false and misleading statements during his campaigns and presidency, to a degree unprecedented in American politics. Many of his comments and actions have been characterized as racially charged or racist and many as misogynistic.
As president, Trump ordered a travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, diverted military funding toward building a wall on the U.S.–Mexico border, and implemented a policy of family separations for migrants detained at the U.S. border. He weakened environmental protections, rolling back more than 100 environmental policies and regulations. He signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which cut taxes for individuals and businesses and rescinded the individual health insurance mandate penalty of the Affordable Care Act. He appointed Neil Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. He reacted slowly to the COVID-19 pandemic, ignored or contradicted many recommendations from health officials, used political pressure to interfere with testing efforts, and spread misinformation about unproven treatments. Trump initiated a trade war with China and withdrew the U.S. from the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the Iran nuclear deal. He met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times but made no progress on denuclearization.
Trump refused to concede after losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, falsely claiming widespread electoral fraud, and attempted to overturn the results by pressuring government officials, mounting scores of unsuccessful legal challenges, and obstructing the presidential transition. On January 6, 2021, he urged his supporters to march to the U.S. Capitol, which many of them then attacked, resulting in multiple deaths and interrupting the electoral vote count.
Trump is the only American president to have been impeached twice. After he tried to pressure Ukraine in 2019 to investigate Biden, he was impeached by the House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. He was acquitted by the Senate in February 2020. The House impeached him again in January 2021 for incitement of insurrection. The Senate acquitted him in February. Scholars and historians rank Trump as one of the worst presidents in American history.
Trump received a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, and his father named him president of his real estate business in 1971. Trump renamed it the Trump Organization and reoriented the company toward building and renovating skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. After a series of business failures in the late twentieth century, he successfully launched side ventures that required little capital, mostly by licensing the Trump name. From 2004 to 2015, he co-produced and hosted the reality television series The Apprentice. He and his businesses have been plaintiff or defendant in more than 4,000 state and federal legal actions, including six business bankruptcies.
Trump won the 2016 presidential election as the Republican Party nominee against Democratic Party nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton while losing the popular vote. During the campaign, his political positions were described as populist, protectionist, isolationist, and nationalist. His election and policies sparked numerous protests. He was the first U.S. president with no prior military or government experience. A special counsel investigation established that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election to favor Trump's campaign. Trump promoted conspiracy theories and made many false and misleading statements during his campaigns and presidency, to a degree unprecedented in American politics. Many of his comments and actions have been characterized as racially charged or racist and many as misogynistic.
As president, Trump ordered a travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, diverted military funding toward building a wall on the U.S.–Mexico border, and implemented a policy of family separations for migrants detained at the U.S. border. He weakened environmental protections, rolling back more than 100 environmental policies and regulations. He signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which cut taxes for individuals and businesses and rescinded the individual health insurance mandate penalty of the Affordable Care Act. He appointed Neil Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. He reacted slowly to the COVID-19 pandemic, ignored or contradicted many recommendations from health officials, used political pressure to interfere with testing efforts, and spread misinformation about unproven treatments. Trump initiated a trade war with China and withdrew the U.S. from the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the Iran nuclear deal. He met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times but made no progress on denuclearization.
Trump refused to concede after losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, falsely claiming widespread electoral fraud, and attempted to overturn the results by pressuring government officials, mounting scores of unsuccessful legal challenges, and obstructing the presidential transition. On January 6, 2021, he urged his supporters to march to the U.S. Capitol, which many of them then attacked, resulting in multiple deaths and interrupting the electoral vote count.
Trump is the only American president to have been impeached twice. After he tried to pressure Ukraine in 2019 to investigate Biden, he was impeached by the House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. He was acquitted by the Senate in February 2020. The House impeached him again in January 2021 for incitement of insurrection. The Senate acquitted him in February. Scholars and historians rank Trump as one of the worst presidents in American history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 22, 2007
I inadvertently got sucked into this one. Some good take-home messages. But embarassing to read on the subway.
March 20, 2008
A great compilation of Business & Life tips from some of the smartest people in the world..an easy read..
March 9, 2017
This book is awful. I've read a fair number of business books - many of which I've enjoyed - and wouldn't recommend this one. The upside is that it's a short read, and perhaps useful for a teenager getting started in the working world. Most of the advice is precisely what you would expect: somewhere between Chicken Soup for the Soul and a "10 Ways to Succeed in Business!" Buzzfeed article.
Those who are professionals won't glean anything from this, other than a few interesting anecdotes from other business leaders.
I genuinely doubt that Mr. Trump actually considers this any of the "best business advice he ever received," and it's worth noting that this review isn't really a critique of him - he contributed nothing more than the introduction.
My biggest gripe with this book rests in the maddening fact that every page of "advice" from a business leader is summarized (often over simplistically) by a small blurb. This might make sense for some of the entries, but some of them are so short that the "summary" is longer than the page itself. For instance, Richard D. Parsons' advice was "Do what's right." That's it. This was "blurbed" into "Take the high road." That's neither entirely correct, nor is it any shorter than the actual advice.
If the only reason you've picked this up is to find a platitudinous graduation gift for some wide-eyed senior who is only going to appreciate a gift if it comes with a check, stick with Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go." It's much more succinct and at least has the emotional pull that will make people think you're thoughtful. Even if you're not.
Those who are professionals won't glean anything from this, other than a few interesting anecdotes from other business leaders.
I genuinely doubt that Mr. Trump actually considers this any of the "best business advice he ever received," and it's worth noting that this review isn't really a critique of him - he contributed nothing more than the introduction.
My biggest gripe with this book rests in the maddening fact that every page of "advice" from a business leader is summarized (often over simplistically) by a small blurb. This might make sense for some of the entries, but some of them are so short that the "summary" is longer than the page itself. For instance, Richard D. Parsons' advice was "Do what's right." That's it. This was "blurbed" into "Take the high road." That's neither entirely correct, nor is it any shorter than the actual advice.
If the only reason you've picked this up is to find a platitudinous graduation gift for some wide-eyed senior who is only going to appreciate a gift if it comes with a check, stick with Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go." It's much more succinct and at least has the emotional pull that will make people think you're thoughtful. Even if you're not.
the-rump
April 10, 2023
If i had a tweeter account, i'd gladly give it up just to send this sincere wish to him.
February 26, 2008
I loved hearing about his business struggles and failures. He's an entertainer.
April 28, 2024
Interesting book. Donald J Trump asked CEO to give some advice. I think the one quote I liked the most was by Henry Hillenmeyers(Chairmen and CEO of Cookers Restaurant) “If you walk with the lame, you will learn to limp”
February 15, 2017
Clearly predictive of Twitter, some compressed thoughts by Donald Trump of proverbs/stories passed on by some of the most successful people in America. While there was a lot of obvious to me at least advice, there were a couple of intriguing ones as well. The idea of at least trying to get the good stuff from the too-successful-to-care class down to the working joe (at a small profit) is laudable, and it seems to have paid dividends for Trump.
notable points:
* fact:opinion::dividend:stock share
* Constellation Energy Group had some somewhat timeless suggestions that while it does go against my experience also seems relevant how a company might survive that long.
* David Dombrowski's stoic advice: to plan for things you can control/estimate and to just leave yourself to be broadsided by acts of god. Intriguing, very similar to Islam's view on a couple of things (from the Al-Kafi especially).
Overall, short, sweet, and probably wouldn't be a terrible read for those just starting out in the business world. And last of all, one gem:
* Be the kind of good person that others will want to do business with.
notable points:
* fact:opinion::dividend:stock share
* Constellation Energy Group had some somewhat timeless suggestions that while it does go against my experience also seems relevant how a company might survive that long.
* David Dombrowski's stoic advice: to plan for things you can control/estimate and to just leave yourself to be broadsided by acts of god. Intriguing, very similar to Islam's view on a couple of things (from the Al-Kafi especially).
Overall, short, sweet, and probably wouldn't be a terrible read for those just starting out in the business world. And last of all, one gem:
* Be the kind of good person that others will want to do business with.
March 7, 2009
Trump, with his attorney, Bernard Diamond, and coordinator, Norma Foerderer, has leveraged contacts, friendships and clout, and collected pearls of wisdom from over 153 business leaders.
Trump implores the readers to learn from their own experiences, as well as the experiences of these leaders.
A good read...but the book gives only "tidbits"...terabytes rather than the meat...but makes you "hungry for more, more more".
Great addition to a read list by a successful Gazillionaire who has built empires.
Trump implores the readers to learn from their own experiences, as well as the experiences of these leaders.
A good read...but the book gives only "tidbits"...terabytes rather than the meat...but makes you "hungry for more, more more".
Great addition to a read list by a successful Gazillionaire who has built empires.
January 18, 2017
This is a compilation of advice from different businessmen. The business advice is mostly vague and anecdotal. I wouldn’t recommend reading this book for any reason whatsoever. Examples of chapter summaries include, “never lose perspective”, “Sometimes nothing needs to be said.” “Encourage and involve employees,” etc. Each chapter, written by a different business person, contains some anecdote which illustrates the title of the chapter. Donald Trump didn’t write anything except the intro, which has his sort of characteristic style.
November 21, 2007
Because of I still haven't had a proper business by myself.. (even now..).. I just read this book as a 'entertaining' book, not as my unliving-mentor. But I guess I'll open this book again when I must take some important decisions in the future..
November 5, 2011
Had I known up front that this book was a collection of 100 plus disparate pieces of advice from various business leaders with merely a three-page long introduction by the famed Donald Trump, I would have managed my expectations appropriately.
January 31, 2022
If you are a teen or a young adult who hasn't read a lot of business/personal development books, this book is a good starting point. However, if you read quite a bit of business books, this book is a waste of money. Content is vague (good for beginners).
June 22, 2008
overflowing with great lessons from successfula and almost-successful entrepreneurs and business people around the world.
June 5, 2015
Only read the short ones - because "if your success advice won't fit on a business card...
July 18, 2019
For anyone into business or already owning one. This is full of advice from creators and ceos of big named companies that will prove usefull no matter what.
February 21, 2022
Everyone will find some advice from this book for themselves
February 26, 2020
The title is definitely misleading. This book is a compilation of business advice from CEOs and leaders of many different companies, of various lengths. It is basically a hodge podge of quotations and positivity along the lines of "don't give up", "keep it simple", "be true to yourself", "know your market", "take chances", "hire the right people".
Trump only provided a preface and I feel like this was a money grab, that would sell becasue of the face and name on the cover, and his associations with business leadership. Otherwise, there is nothing "Trump" about it. I thought this book would at least have commentary from Trump on the advice others were giving, but it didn't even do that. This one is definitely a pass. I could get the same tones of positivity from a Disney cartoon, in a shorter time frame, with a lot more enjoyment in general.
This one was definitely a business disappointment from all angles really, but I think that the advice is generally applicable and decent. That's why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. A couple things were good gems, most were average ones you hear all the time, but none of it is actually BAD advice...just overheard. Several pages were actually the same bit of advice, from different people, so there is generally repetition. That got a bit tedious, but again, it isn't BAD advice...it's just said too often to warrant it being in the book as often as it is.
Trump only provided a preface and I feel like this was a money grab, that would sell becasue of the face and name on the cover, and his associations with business leadership. Otherwise, there is nothing "Trump" about it. I thought this book would at least have commentary from Trump on the advice others were giving, but it didn't even do that. This one is definitely a pass. I could get the same tones of positivity from a Disney cartoon, in a shorter time frame, with a lot more enjoyment in general.
This one was definitely a business disappointment from all angles really, but I think that the advice is generally applicable and decent. That's why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. A couple things were good gems, most were average ones you hear all the time, but none of it is actually BAD advice...just overheard. Several pages were actually the same bit of advice, from different people, so there is generally repetition. That got a bit tedious, but again, it isn't BAD advice...it's just said too often to warrant it being in the book as often as it is.
April 3, 2019
1. All or nothing
2. Điều kiện tiên quyết: tuyển dụng đúng người
3. Kiếm tiền, dành dụm tiền, và để tiền đẻ ra tiền
4. Phải biết nghĩ như một nhà báo: trước khi nhận 1 nhiệm vụ nào hoặc ra 1 quyết định nào, phải thu thập thông tin dưới nhiều góc cạnh khác nhau.
5. Con ruồi không bao giờ bay vào cái miệng đang ngậm chặt: đôi khi phải học cách giữ im lặng, im lặng có thể tránh được những tai họa.
6. Đừng đặt câu hỏi "Tại sao" mà hãy đặt câu hỏi "Làm thế nào": hướng tới tư duy tích cực
7. Bất cứ khi bạn làm điều gì, hãy làm với tất cả sự chính trực. Bất cứ đi đến đâu, hãy đi với tư cách người lãnh đạo. Khi phục vụ bất kỳ ai, hãy phục vụ thật chu đáo. Khi mơ, hãy mơ tất cả mọi mong ước. Và đừng bao giờ đầu hàng.
8. Những ai nói ít nhất là những người có nhiều điều để nói nhất; còn những ai nói nhiều nhất lại là những người không có gì để nói.
9. Khi sinh ra, con được ban cho một cái tên đẹp. Hãy trả ơn lại điều đó như cách con đã được nhận.
2. Điều kiện tiên quyết: tuyển dụng đúng người
3. Kiếm tiền, dành dụm tiền, và để tiền đẻ ra tiền
4. Phải biết nghĩ như một nhà báo: trước khi nhận 1 nhiệm vụ nào hoặc ra 1 quyết định nào, phải thu thập thông tin dưới nhiều góc cạnh khác nhau.
5. Con ruồi không bao giờ bay vào cái miệng đang ngậm chặt: đôi khi phải học cách giữ im lặng, im lặng có thể tránh được những tai họa.
6. Đừng đặt câu hỏi "Tại sao" mà hãy đặt câu hỏi "Làm thế nào": hướng tới tư duy tích cực
7. Bất cứ khi bạn làm điều gì, hãy làm với tất cả sự chính trực. Bất cứ đi đến đâu, hãy đi với tư cách người lãnh đạo. Khi phục vụ bất kỳ ai, hãy phục vụ thật chu đáo. Khi mơ, hãy mơ tất cả mọi mong ước. Và đừng bao giờ đầu hàng.
8. Những ai nói ít nhất là những người có nhiều điều để nói nhất; còn những ai nói nhiều nhất lại là những người không có gì để nói.
9. Khi sinh ra, con được ban cho một cái tên đẹp. Hãy trả ơn lại điều đó như cách con đã được nhận.
December 30, 2025
Although Mr. Trump didn’t really author most of the words here, maybe the silver lining is that this work is an honest reflection of his own values.
His choice of advice is sometimes impeccably laconic:
And doesn’t hesitate to repeat venerable virtues:
Some are more exclamatory and invigorating:
While others are deeply introspective (but grammatically a little awkward):
And a fitting finish with wisdom on free markets:
His choice of advice is sometimes impeccably laconic:
William H. Longfield: Do the right thing.
And doesn’t hesitate to repeat venerable virtues:
Richard D. Parsons: Do what’s right.
Some are more exclamatory and invigorating:
Mark Granata Jr.: Be careful what you wish for, as you may just get it!
While others are deeply introspective (but grammatically a little awkward):
Robert I. Toll: The other best advice I got was from my father, who admonished me that we are already rich, the idea was not to die poor. If you never lose any money, you’ll die stinking rich.
And a fitting finish with wisdom on free markets:
George Zimmer: Don’t be afraid to charge enough for your products or services.
January 29, 2018
Не веднъж съм казвал, че не харесвам книгите, в които са събрани златни мъдрости. Тази книга обаче е една идея по-различна от повечето подобни сборници, защото съветите не са дадени от личностите, които ги споделят, а са дадени на тях самите.
February 13, 2019
I wouldn’t call Trump the “author” of this book. Literally a collection of quotes from business associates, often the same message repeated throughout the book. Some decent, basic advice for anyone starting out in business, but definitely not a must-read.
January 3, 2026
Trump: The Way to the Top works best as a motivational snapshot of Trump’s self-described approach to success. It is most appealing to readers who enjoy bold, high-level advice and are interested in personal branding, ambition, and mindset rather than detailed business strategy.
December 18, 2016
This is basically a bunch of quotes from business tycoons that Trump put his name on. Don't waste your time.
March 3, 2017
yeh it bin prety gud
May 9, 2016
RNC never would have thought The Donald could win the GOP nomination. He did.
I thought I should dig into the mind of the person. In this book he cites business and career advice he has received from various leaders and some of them are worth noting.
I thought I should dig into the mind of the person. In this book he cites business and career advice he has received from various leaders and some of them are worth noting.
December 11, 2016
"Never take a job just for the money, for soon, like every living organism, you'll live beyond your means and you'll probably be miserable in your job. Always strive to take a job doing something you truly love to do. If it's money you seek, it will come to you in barrels-full, because if you love what you do, you'll no doubt do it very well and folks who want the best will beat your door down to employ you." (Jack Valenti: Donald J. Trump, Trump: The Way to the Top: The Best Business Advice I Ever Received, Page 242)
Really Donald??? This is really "the best business advice you ever received"? No. This is actually a book where Donald Trump solicited the best business advice from CEOs for this book, not sure if he knew them personally or not. So, to say it is the best business advice he has ever received is a BIG FAT LIE. This is plain miss-representation of a book and is a marketing gimmick to sell more copies. I feel ashamed for anyone who really thinks they are getting Donald Trump's best advice that he learned throughout his life. He owes anyone who purchased this book an apology and a new book with REALLY the best business advice he received during his lifetime.
Now, you may wonder if I like Trump. Yes. I do. But, no manner if I like you or not. Tell the truth and don't lie for financial gain...it is unethical.
Buy and read this book if you want to hear the best business advice from CEOs of successful companies mostly in New York, but don't buy it if you were thinking you are getting Donald Trump's collection of business advice he has collected in his lifetime. Not true. Shame on Donald for allowing the book title to say this. Surprised no one has sued on this one yet.
Really Donald??? This is really "the best business advice you ever received"? No. This is actually a book where Donald Trump solicited the best business advice from CEOs for this book, not sure if he knew them personally or not. So, to say it is the best business advice he has ever received is a BIG FAT LIE. This is plain miss-representation of a book and is a marketing gimmick to sell more copies. I feel ashamed for anyone who really thinks they are getting Donald Trump's best advice that he learned throughout his life. He owes anyone who purchased this book an apology and a new book with REALLY the best business advice he received during his lifetime.
Now, you may wonder if I like Trump. Yes. I do. But, no manner if I like you or not. Tell the truth and don't lie for financial gain...it is unethical.
Buy and read this book if you want to hear the best business advice from CEOs of successful companies mostly in New York, but don't buy it if you were thinking you are getting Donald Trump's collection of business advice he has collected in his lifetime. Not true. Shame on Donald for allowing the book title to say this. Surprised no one has sued on this one yet.
June 12, 2016
Though this book is chock-full of both anecdotes and detailed life lessons, it is incomplete. One would expect that an author would expound on how he learned from advice he received. Mr. Trump, however, only wrote the entirety of two pages in his book. Indeed, he wrote the preface. Perhaps the work could be better coined a "compilation".
April 27, 2009
Collection of short thoughts from some of the most successful business people in the world. Basically answering the question, 'What one thing would you say was the key to your success?'. Interesting insights...later I may add a few of my favorite...
May 19, 2010
Jangan melakukan hal tidak disukai apabila kita tidak ingin diperlakukan dengan cara yang sama . Jujurlah senantiasa , kebohongan
akan mengakibatkan hal yang tidak diinginkan .
akan mengakibatkan hal yang tidak diinginkan .
September 1, 2012
I liked the business advice from the different business leaders. Very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews