Some Iger insight

Disney CEO Robert Iger talks about managing people - as well as himself - in a NYT interview over the weekend. Some clips:

Give me some examples of questions that you would ask to get to know somebody?

I don't have any tricks. I try to learn more about a person, what he does outside of work, his family, what their interests are -- someone with too many interests is usually faking it. But you can quickly determine whether they've got a couple of interests, or one in particular that they're really passionate about. Passion suggests some level of curiosity, by the way, too. I try to determine whether someone is interested in new technology, because technology is changing our businesses right before our eyes, particularly consumer behavior. And if you're not curious about technology and its potential impact on your life, then you'll have no clue what its impact might be on someone else's life. I don't discount nervousness, because everyone should be a little nervous when they're interviewed, particularly if a job is important. But I like someone who's got an ability to look me in the eye and communicate effectively, even if they don't know me.

What are some things you do to manage your time effectively?

Well, I get up very early and I get to work early. I get up at 4:30 every morning. I like the quiet time. It's a time I can recharge my batteries a bit. I exercise and I clear my head and I catch up on the world. I read papers. I look at e-mail. I surf the Web. I watch a little TV, all at the same time. I call it my quiet time but I'm already multitasking. I love listening to music, so I'll do that in the morning, too, when I'm exercising and watching the news.

Are you a gadget person?

Have been all my life. I love gadgets. I'm an iPhone guy. I know that Steve Jobs is our largest shareholder, but I was an iPod and iTunes user before that. I also don't like too many things in my pockets. I don't like carrying things around, and the three-in-one -- I have my music, I have my telephone and I have my e-mail all in one gadget that fits in my pocket. That's sheer beauty, and that's perfection for me.