My father was a certain kind of man - I saw how he treated my mother and his family and how he treated strangers. And I vowed I would never make a film that would not reflect properly on my father's name.
Sidney PoitierRead
So I had to be careful. I recognized the responsibility that, whether I liked it or not, I had to accept whatever the obligation was. That was to behave in a manner, to carry myself in such a professional way, as if there ever is a reflection, it's a positive one.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of professionalism and accountability in one's actions.
Sidney Poitier reflects on the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership and public conduct. He acknowledges that behaving professionally not only reflects on oneself but also has broader implications, suggesting that every action should be deliberate and carry a positive implication, especially in situations where one may be judged by others. This underscores the significance of integrity and the impact of personal responsibility in shaping one's reputation and legacy.
Themes
ResponsibilityProfessionalismIntegrityLeadershipConduct
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop on leadership, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of accountability.
More from Sidney Poitier
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I wanted to explore the values that are at work, underpinning my life.
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We suffer pain, we hang tight to hope, we nurture expectations, we are plagued occasionally by fears, we are haunted by defeats and unrealized hopes . . . The hoplessness of which I speak is not limited.
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We're all imperfect, and life is simply a perpetual, unending struggle against those imperfections.
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I was the only Black person on the set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to representation of 18 million people.
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