Includes bibliographical references (pages 231-232) and index.

Foreword p. XI
Paul A. Volcker
Acknowledgments p. XVII
Introduction p. XIX
Lesson 1 Lead Boldly and Decisively: Facing Down the Sandinistas of Nicaragua, The Middle East and Israel, and Getting the Deal Done in China p. 1
Lesson 2 Anticipate Problems By Visualizing Impact: How ôWindows on Riskö Shielded Citibank from the Asian Crisis, a Phone Call Helped Save Uruguay, and Rupert Murdoch Came to Like Bankers p. 29
Lesson 3 Execute in a Timely Fashion: Managing Citibank's 1991 Loan Crisis, Creating ôCritical Massö during the Latin American Debt Crisis, and Implementing Argentina's Brady Bonds p. 55
Lesson 4 Take Prompt, Comprehensive Action: Tracking Down Mexico's Finance Minister, Getting Brazil to Restructure Its Debt, and Managing South Korea's Financial Crisis and Its Free Trade Pact p. 79
Lesson 5 Defy Intimidation-Stand Up for What's Right: Facing Down Robert Mugabe, the Threat of Argentine Nationalization, and Insisting on Collective Action Clauses p. 113
Lesson 6 Weiji-Seize Your Opportunities: Citibank's Expansion in Eastern Europe, Argentina's Default, and Not Merging with Bank of America p. 147
Lesson 7 Know the Culture, History, Customs, and Language: Avoiding Nationalization in Venezuela, The Latin American Debt Crisis, and Expanding in China p. 173
Lesson 8 Build Consensus and Use Innovative Ways to Solve Problems: Supporting ôPrior Actionsö for Turkey, Creating Consensus on Committees, and Implementing the Brady Plan p. 199
Postscript p. 233
Index p. 237

"From Ukraine to China and Nigeria to Egypt debt and finance are central to global stability and United States interests. No one else has nearly as much experience on the front lines as Bill Rhodes. All who care about the 21st century will profit from close study of his thoughts."
―Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor and President Emeritus at Harvard University, former Secretary of the Treasury for President Clinton, and former Director of the National Economic Council for President Obama

In more than five decades with Citi, William "Bill" Rhodes, the firm's former senior vice chairman and senior international officer, has worked with senior business leaders, statesmen, and strongmen and brokered immense financial deals while looking across the table at finance ministers . . . and up the barrels of guns trained on him. He has earned the cooperation of Fidel Castro over cigars and the admiration of Rupert Murdoch, who said of Rhodes, "By dogged hard work, Bill forms important and great relationships. Everyone knows Bill. Everyone trusts Bill."

From these and other experiences, Rhodes has learned a lifetime of lessons about managing amid crises--and, more important, how to lead prudently, decisively, and effectively to prevent crises from ever happening in the first place. In Banker to the World, Rhodes presents his collected wisdom, best-practices, analysis, and anecdotes in one essential volume on the creation of value through leadership--and on the importance of leading by one's values.

Dramatically illustrated by more than two dozen examples, Rhodes's principles offer an excellent foundation for leaders at all levels. Having honed his skills in high-level negotiations around the world--including those with the Sandinistas, heads of state, and corporate CEOs in situations ranging from the opening of post-apartheid South Africa and the defusing of the Latin American "debt bomb" to the forestalling of the nationalization of Citi assets in Venezuela―Rhodes dispenses invaluable advice, including:

Lead boldly and decisively: Know when to disregard caution for caution's sake--and always insist on a neutral negotiating atmosphere.
Anticipate problems by visualizing their impact: Get ahead of risk by taking a comprehensive view of potential obstacles.
Confront problems directly and proactively: When faced with a critical situation, going directly to its epicenter is what turns a crisis into an opportunity.
You may not be presented with challenges such as restructuring a nation’s multibillion-dollar debt or dealing with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. But in Banker to the World, Bill Rhodes gives takeaway lessons on leading with character, tact, and determination that any manager, executive, or government official will use again and again to evaluate challenges, anticipate responses, and be more decisive in navigating crises of any size.