When will Labour learn that you cannot build Jerusalem in Brussels.
Margaret ThatcherRead
If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Strong leadership requires firmness and reliability, especially for influential countries.
In this quote, Margaret Thatcher emphasizes that to effectively lead a powerful nation like Britain, one must possess a strong and resolute character. The phrase 'a touch of iron' suggests that leaders must exhibit strength and determination, maintaining reliability in both prosperous and challenging times, which is essential for a country that aims to have a significant impact on global affairs.
Themes
LeadershipStrengthReliabilityFirmnessCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on government leadership, one might say, 'As Margaret Thatcher noted, effective leaders need a touch of iron.'
More from Margaret Thatcher
All quotes βNever in the history of human credit has so much been owed.
Margaret ThatcherRead
The battle for women's rights has been largely won.
Margaret ThatcherRead
Ought we not to ask the media to agree among themselves a voluntary code of conduct, under which they would not say or show anything which could assist the terrorists' morale or their cause while the hijack lasted.
Margaret ThatcherRead
Israel must never be expected to jeopardize her security: if she was ever foolish enough to do so, and then suffered for it, the backlash against both honest brokers and Palestinians would be immense - 'land for peace' must also bring peace.
Margaret ThatcherRead
If it's me against 48, I feel sorry for the 48.
Margaret ThatcherRead
Similar quotes
Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning.
Warren G. BennisRead
You have to learn what makes this or that Sammy run. For one it's a pat on the back, for another it's eating him out, for still another it's a fatherly talk, or something else. You're a fool if you think as I did as a young coach, that you can treat them all alike.
Bear BryantRead
This assumption of Negro leadership in the ghetto, then, must not be confined to matters of religion, education, and social uplift; it must deal with such fundamental forces in life as make these things possible.
Carter G. WoodsonRead
Leaders must encourage their organizations to dance to forms of music yet to be heard.
Warren G. BennisRead
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
Sun TzuRead
Colleagues should take care of each other, have fun, celebrate success, learn by failure, look for reasons to praise not to criticize, communicate freely and respect each other.
Richard BransonRead