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The worst disease which can afflict executives in their work is not, as popularly supposed, alcoholism; it's egotism.
Robert Frost
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Egotism is a detrimental trait for executives, often more harmful than alcoholism.

In this quote, Robert Frost suggests that the greatest challenge faced by leaders is not substance abuse, such as alcoholism, but rather a form of self-importance and ego that can cloud judgment and impair decision-making. Egotism can lead to poor leadership and misunderstanding, hindering not only personal effectiveness but also the success of the organization they oversee.

Themes

LeadershipEgotism ExecutivesJudgmentDecision Making

In practice

Example use cases

In a leadership workshop, to emphasize the importance of humility among executives.

More from Robert Frost

Two such as you with such a master speed, cannot be parted nor be swept away, from one another once you are agreed, that life is only life forevermore, together wing to wing and oar to oar.
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You have freedom when you're easy in your harness.
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God made a beauteous garden With lovely flowers strown, But one straight, narrow pathway That was not overgrown. And to this beauteous garden He brought mankind to live, And said "To you, my children, These lovely flowers I give. Prune ye my vines and fig trees, With care my flowers tend, But keep the pathway open Your home is at the end." God's Garden
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'Warm in December, cold in June, you say?' _x000D_ _x000D_ I don't suppose the water's changed at all. _x000D_ _x000D_ You and I know enough to know it's warm _x000D_ _x000D_ Compared with cold, and cold compared with warm. _x000D_ _x000D_ But all the fun's in how you say a thing.
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For, dear me, why abandon a belief, Merely because it ceases to be true, Cling to it long enough, and not a doubt, It will turn true again, for so it goes.
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The question that he frames in all but words is what to make of a diminished thing.
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