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A chief is a man who assumes responsibility. He says 'I was beaten,' he does not say 'My men were beaten.'
Antoine De Saint-Exupery
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Interpretation

What this quote means

A true leader takes responsibility for their team's outcomes, whether good or bad.

This quote emphasizes the essence of effective leadership by asserting that a true leader does not shift blame onto others. Instead, they own their actions and the results of their team's efforts, demonstrating accountability and a commitment to learning from failures. This attitude fosters trust and respect within a team and inspires others to adopt a similar sense of responsibility.

Themes

LeadershipResponsibilityAccountabilityTeamTrust

In practice

Example use cases

In a team meeting, while discussing project setbacks, you could cite this quote to remind everyone of the importance of shared accountability.

More from Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Grown-ups love figures... When you tell them you've made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? " Instead they demand "How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? " Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.
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Attitude is a paintbrush. It colors everything!
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Water, thou hast no taste, no color, no odor; canst not be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself, thou fillest us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses.
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In those days, I didn't understand anything. I should have judged her according to her actions, not her words. She perfumed my planet and lit up my life. I should never have run away! I ought to have realized the tenderness underlying her silly pretensions. Flowers are so contadictory! But I was too young to know how to love her.
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When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey.
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When the body sinks into death, the essence of man is revealed. Man is a knot, a web, a mesh into which relationships are tied. Only those relationships matter. The body is an old crock that nobody will miss. I have never known a man to think of himself when dying. Never.
Antoine De Saint-ExuperyRead

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