I would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of keeping promises over adhering to established norms.
John F. Kennedy's quote highlights the value of integrity and commitment in leadership. It suggests that leaders should prioritize their promises and commitments to others, even if it means deviating from traditional practices or facing criticism. This reflects the idea that true leadership is defined by the trust and loyalty one builds through consistent and honest actions.
In practice
A leader addressing a team about commitment to their goals.
The great battleground for the defense and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern half of the globe... the lands of the rising peoples. Their revolution is the greatest in human history. They seek an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation. More than an end, they seek a beginning.
I had always enjoyed the title of Commander-in-Chief until I was informed ... that the only forces that cannot be transferred from Washington without my express permission are the members of the Marine Corps Band. Those are the only forces I have. I want it announced that we propose to hold the White House against all odds at least for some time to come.
I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.
I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
I have some strategical vision, I could calculate some few moves ahead and I have an intellect that is badly missed in the country which is run by generals and colonels.
We believe in people executing their role and caring about the team more than anything individually
The worst of guardians is a cruel ruler. Beware of becoming one of them.
My own experience is that the best outcomes are reached when opposing viewpoints are clearly and strongly presented before decisions are made.
It's time for male leaders to not only ask for binders of qualified women, but to re-write the definition of 'qualified.' The best man for the job, may in fact, be a woman, whose biography is not traditional, but is rich with experiences and skills that are not necessarily learned either in school or on the job.
If corporate leaders and their acolytes are not slaves to some meritorious social purpose, they run the risk of being enslaved by their own ignoble appetites.
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