If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.
Robert KennedyRead
People say I am ruthless. I am not ruthless. And if I find the man who is calling me ruthless, I shall destroy him.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the misunderstood perception of ruthlessness and addresses the consequences of labeling someone unfairly.
Robert Kennedy's quote reflects a common misinterpretation of strong leadership as ruthlessness. He defends himself against this label, emphasizing that what may be perceived as a lack of compassion is often a determination to stand firm in one's beliefs, suggesting that those who label him are themselves undermining his integrity and resolve.
In practice
This quote can be shared in a leadership seminar to discuss the challenges of being misunderstood.
If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.
Elections remind us not only of the rights but the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy.
Within the United States, we have put great emphasis upon political freedoms. Because it has been our experience that these freedoms can lead to others.
It is one thing to open job opportunities. It is another to train people to fill them, or to persuade American enterprise to seek Negro as well as white applicants.
Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.
The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America - except whether we are proud to be Americans.
O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done.
Leadership experts and the public alike extol the virtues of transformational leaders - those who set out bold objectives and take risks to change the world. We tend to downplay 'transactional' leaders, whose goals are more modest, as mere managers.
If we are a good team and know what we want to do, one of us can defeat tons of them.
The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.
The man, most man, works best for men: and, if most man indeed, he gets his manhood plainest from his soul.
The Four Keys of Great Managers: When selecting someone, they select for talent ... not simply experience, intelligence or determination. When setting expectations, they define the right outcomes ... not the right steps. When motivating someone, they focus on strengths ... not on weaknesses. and When developing someone, they help him find the right fit ... not simply the next rung on the ladder.
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