The problem with taking offense is that it's really hard to figure out what to do with it after you're done using it. Better to just leave it on the table and walk away. Umbrage untaken quietly disappears.
Seth GodinRead
How was your day? If your answer was "fine," then I don't think you were leading.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote implies that a mundane response indicates a lack of engagement or leadership in one's day-to-day interactions.
Seth Godin's quote suggests that a simple response like 'fine' to the question 'How was your day?' reflects a lack of passion and intentionality in one's life and leadership. It encourages deeper self-reflection and the importance of actively engaging with experiences rather than merely existing through them. Leaders inspire through their experiences and reflections, and an unremarkable response may signal a missed opportunity for genuine connection and insight.
Themes
LeadershipEngagementReflectionIntentionalityExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting to encourage more dynamic discussions and reflections.
More from Seth Godin
All quotes →Not adding value is the same as taking it away.
Seth GodinRead
Excellence isn’t about meeting the spec, it’s about setting the spec. It defines what the consumer sees as quality right this minute, and tomorrow, if you’re good, you’ll reset that expectation again
Seth GodinRead
Living with doubt ... is almost always more profitable than living with certainty. _x000D_ People don't like doubt, so they pay money and give up opportunities to avoid it. _x000D_ Entrepreneurshi p is largely about living with doubt. If you need reassurance, you're giving up quite a bit to get it. On the other hand, if you can get in the habit of seeking out uncertainty, you'll have developed a great instinct.
Seth GodinRead
The danger of the Web is that you can go from idea to public announcement in under ten minutes.
Seth GodinRead
Art isn't only a painting. Art is anything that is creative, passionate and personal. Art is the unique work of a human being created to touch another. Art is created to have an impact, to change someone else.
Seth GodinRead
Similar quotes
Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control.
Tom LandryRead
The speed of the boss is the speed of the team.
Lee IacoccaRead
Here's what management is about: Pick good people and set the right priorities.
Lee IacoccaRead
The executive, in our government is not the sole, it is scarcely the principle, object of my jealousy. The tyranny of the legislature is the most formidable dread at present and will be for many years. That of the executive will come in its turn, but it will be at a remote period.
Thomas JeffersonRead
My mother did not raise me to ask for permission to lead.
Ayanna PressleyRead
We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country - its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.
Sun TzuRead