A chief is a man who assumes responsibility. He says 'I was beaten,' he does not say 'My men were beaten.'
Antoine De Saint-ExuperyRead
It's very important in a leadership role not to place your ego at the foreground and not to judge everything in relationship to how your ego is fed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effective leadership requires prioritizing the team and mission over personal ego.
In her quote, Ruth J. Simmons emphasizes the need for leaders to set aside their personal ego and avoid making decisions based solely on their desire for validation or pride. This approach fosters a more collaborative and constructive environment, ensuring that leadership is focused on the collective goals rather than individual gain, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for the team and organization.
Themes
LeadershipEgoCollaborationTeamworkSelflessness
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting while discussing strategies, you could quote this to emphasize the importance of putting aside personal interests for the team's success.
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