The essence of power is the knowledge that what you do is going to have an effect not just an immediate but perhaps a lifelong effect on the happiness and wellbeing of millions of people and so I think the essence of power is to be conscious of what it can mean for others.
Interpretation
Power holds the responsibility of shaping the future and well-being of many, requiring consciousness in decision-making.
In this quote, Bob Hawke emphasizes that true power is not merely about authority or control; it encompasses the awareness of one's actions and their potential long-term impact on the happiness and well-being of countless individuals. Leaders must recognize that their decisions can lead to profound consequences, which adds a layer of responsibility that comes with holding power.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech addressing future leaders about the importance of ethical decision-making.
While society cannot provide employment for its members, the production/work/income nexus has to be abandoned as a justification for our present parsimony to the unemployed. An assumption cannot be used to justify making second-class citizens of those who are unfortunate enough to constitute living proof of the inaccuracy of that assumption.
My point was that the war was intrinsically wrong, and as a result of our participation we haven't improved Australia's security but created a greater danger at home and abroad.
Australia can no longer afford to go down the path of confrontation and fragmentation which has embittered and disfigured so many aspects of the national life.
I just loved him and he loved me... He was a most humble man, the most decent man I've ever met in my life and he always looked for the best in people to find positives and he said something to me that always remained with me. He said if you believe in the fatherhood of God you must necessarily believe in the brotherhood of man, it follows necessarily and even though I left the church and was not religious, that truth remained with me.
None of us can be sure of how long we will live. Because this is so, I think you should try not to think too much about dying but think about all the nice things that make life so precious to us all.
We are building together a nation in which there are no second-class Australians.
Government caters to those screaming the loudest, regardless of what they're screaming about. In business, it's exactly the opposite! You invest more in the most successful departments, and less in those that aren't performing.
First organize the inner, then organize the outer ... First organize the great, then organize the small. First organize yourself, and then organize others.
Everyone entrusted with a mission is an angel.
You hear about actors being late and all that sort of stuff, but you never find that with an actor who's directed, because an actor who's directed understands all the problems your production is going through.
Engagement and integrity are the two most fundamental aspects of building trust; lead from the front by evolving your company strategy, then live your values every day.
The only thing I don't think people don't understand about good leaders is that they're both good and lucky. A lot of it is timing.
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