And the Good News Is …

What if embracing risk and cultivating positive habits could redefine your path to success? Dana Perino's journey offers answers and inspiration.

Growing Up on the Ranch: Lessons in Resilience and Compassion

Dana Perino's childhood on her grandparents' Wyoming ranch shaped her character in enduring ways. This rugged environment demanded independence as she learned to tackle tough tasks like gathering eggs from peckish hens or feeding calves in biting winters. Life was far from easy, but these experiences taught her to face fears and take on responsibilities, often without immediate rewards.

A powerful moment occurred when she witnessed her grandfather's tender yet firm decision to put down a suffering horse. This action illustrated how strength and gentleness often go hand in hand. Perino learned that difficult decisions are sometimes necessary, and they can be executed with empathy and kindness.

These early lessons laid a foundation for Perino's later ability to balance firmness with compassion, whether on Capitol Hill or as a press secretary. Her unique blend of resilience and sensitivity became a hallmark of her career.

Examples

• Feeding calves during harsh Wyoming winters instilled responsibility.
• Overcoming her fear of chickens to gather eggs emphasized facing fears head-on.
• Seeing her grandfather compassionately handle the horse's suffering revealed the value of empathy.

Parental Influence: Nurturing a Love for Politics and Civics

Perino's parents played a vital role in introducing her to politics and nurturing her appreciation for American ideals. Her father, an avid consumer of political magazines and news, involved her in daily discussions about current events, helping her develop informed arguments and opinions—a skill she would later need as press secretary.

Her mother, meanwhile, exposed her to the human side of politics through her role in helping refugees. Through her mother’s work, Perino gained firsthand exposure to America’s role as a beacon of freedom and hope for those fleeing oppression.

This influence ignited in Dana not just a love of politics, but also a sense of purpose. She recognized the importance of sharing opportunities and freedoms with those in need, a theme that echoed throughout her career.

Examples

• Reading daily news articles with her father built Dana's analytical skills.
• Learning about her mother’s refugee work highlighted America as a land of opportunity.
• Visiting Washington, DC as a young girl cemented her love for democracy.

From High School to Capitol Hill: Early Success and Network Building

Dana’s ambition began to bloom in high school, where she served as student body president and introduced initiatives to better her peers' academic experience. During college, her interest in media and politics merged as she produced and hosted local debate shows on political topics in Colorado.

These early experiences gave her the platform to build a professional network, a key element in her career trajectory. Her network came to her rescue when, unhappy with her first Capitol Hill job, she found a position as press secretary for Representative Dan Schaefer.

This foundation of focusing on goals and leveraging relationships enabled Perino to grow steadily in her career, transitioning smoothly from local politics to Washington’s corridors of power.

Examples

• Leading her high school as president showed her leadership potential.
• Hosting political debate shows introduced her to influential figures.
• Networking at a hockey game helped her land a job with Representative Schaefer.

Meeting Peter: Gaining Personal and Professional Support

On a flight to Washington in 1997, Perino met Peter, a British man who would later become her unwavering source of encouragement. His support proved invaluable, especially when she decided to leave their life in the UK to chase a role in the Bush administration.

Peter’s encouragement for her to take risks led to years of fulfilling roles, from the Department of Justice to eventually becoming press secretary. Balancing a demanding career with her personal life wasn’t always easy, but Peter’s understanding nature helped her achieve both professional success and personal happiness.

Perino's relationship with Peter illustrates how a supportive partner can contribute to one's ability to soar in their career while staying grounded emotionally.

Examples

• Peter encouraged her to leave the UK for Bush's campaign.
• His reassurance helped her cope with the demanding nature of White House work.
• Their partnership brought stability while she navigated high-pressure roles.

Hard Work Pays Off: From Deputy to Press Secretary

Perino’s role as deputy press secretary put her skills to the test. She became renowned for her quick decision-making and sharp communication, handling major press briefings with speed and accuracy.

By 2007, her dedication led to her appointment as White House press secretary, where she tackled daily challenges involving national crises, media scrutiny, and global events. This role required not just political acumen, but also poise under pressure.

Her journey underscores how seizing opportunities and delivering impeccable performance can lead to career breakthroughs, even amid career strain and second-guessing.

Examples

• Typing swiftly on her Blackberry became a humorous nickname for her "skillset."
• She stood tall amid the stress-induced temptation to quit after becoming deputy.
• Accepting the press secretary role led her to close out her White House chapter on a high.

Manners Matter: The Importance of Politeness in Politics

Perino believes strongly in the power of good manners as a unifying force in a politically divided landscape. She recalls lessons from George W. Bush on sharing credit, such as when he praised the Colombian president for assisting in a hostage rescue mission rather than claiming full credit for America.

Similarly, Dick Cheney taught her the value of listening. By waiting to speak until everyone else has voiced their perspectives, Cheney ensured that all opinions were considered.

Dana uses these values as guiding principles, advocating for politeness and humility as the glue that can help disparate teams work harmoniously.

Examples

• Bush’s gracious comment boosted Colombia's president during a sensitive time.
• Cheney’s listening-first approach maximized team dynamics in meetings.
• Dana encourages leaders to give credit generously and avoid monopolizing discussions.

Take Risks and Chase Change

Dana emphasizes that taking risks is essential for growth. Despite fears, she embraced major career moves, from Capitol Hill to the White House and ultimately to Fox News.

She saw many peers hesitate due to fear of failure but insists that growth often demands stepping outside of comfort zones. If things go awry, there’s always the option to recalibrate.

For Dana, moving and adapting to new environments not only expanded her opportunities but also solidified her belief in resilience as the key to progressing in life.

Examples

• Leaving the UK to work on a campaign marked her bold approach to change.
• Shifting beyond politics to media brought fresh career opportunities.
• A move back to Colorado helped her define personal priorities.

The Power of Lifelong Learning

Perino credits daily exercises like reading the Wall Street Journal’s editorial pages for keeping her sharp. This practice deepens her understanding of global affairs and hones her communication skills.

Engaging her mind this way also helps her stay updated on ever-changing world issues, allowing her to form informed opinions and strategies. In her experience, continuous learning has always paid dividends.

This habit reinforces the idea that intellectual growth fuels professional agility and personal satisfaction.

Examples

• Devoting five minutes daily to the Journal is Perino’s intellectual ritual.
• Her readiness on policy topics stems from such practices.
• Dana expanded her career horizons by consistently leaning into new material.

Focusing on the Positive Can Change Everything

Perino believes in overcoming negativity, whether wrestled internally or from external sources. During her transition to White House press secretary, encouragement from Tony Snow helped her stop doubting herself.

This emphasis on positivity carried her through high-pressure situations and helped her set an example for others. By choosing optimism, she boosted team morale and overcame personal moments of insecurity.

Staying positive doesn’t eliminate tough times, but it builds the strength to tackle them with grace and determination.

Examples

• Tony Snow’s comment uplifted her during self-doubt as press secretary.
• Viewing challenges as learning moments kept her adaptable.
• Positivity was her shield during hectic live media engagements.

Takeaways

1. Embrace change and confront fears—growth often demands stepping into the unknown.
2. Build strong habits like daily intellectual engagement to stay sharp and prepared.
3. Share kindness and credit freely; leadership thrives on humility and teamwork.