Be the hunter, not the hunted: Never allow your unit to be caught with its guard down.
James MattisRead
We've backed off in good faith to try and give you a chance to straighten this problem out. But I am going to beg with you for a minute. I'm going to plead with you, do not cross us. Because if you do, the survivors will write about what we do here for 10,000 years.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of diplomacy and the consequences of betrayal in leadership situations.
James Mattis's quote highlights the delicate balance of leadership, where good faith and attempts at resolution can be met with ultimatums. It reflects on the seriousness of actions taken in high-stakes situations, suggesting that while efforts may be made to avoid conflict, there are severe consequences for crossing those who hold power, hinting at the lasting legacy of decisions made during such crises.
Themes
LeadershipDiplomacyConflictConsequencesPower
In practice
Example use cases
During a company meeting where tensions are rising between departments.
More from James Mattis
All quotes →I would happily storm hell in the company of these troops ... how strongly they have demonstrated to the world that free men and women can fight like the dickens.
James MattisRead
For the mission's sake, our country's sake, and the sake of the men who carried the Division's colors in the past battles - who fought for life and never lost their nerve - carry out your mission and keep your honor clean. Demonstrate to the world there is "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" than a U.S. Marine.
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You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it's going to be bad.
James MattisRead
Demonstrate to the world there is "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" than a U.S. Marine.
James MattisRead
In this age, I don't care how tactically or operationally brilliant you are, if you cannot create harmony - even vicious harmony - on the battlefield based on trust across service lines, across coalition and national lines, and across civilian/military lines, you need to go home, because your leadership is obsolete. We have got to have officers who can create harmony across all those lines.
James MattisRead
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