Even a bad idea executed is better than a good idea undone.
Paul ArdenRead
Everybody wants to be good, but not many are prepared to make the sacrifices it takes to be great. To many people, being nice in order to be liked is more important. There's equal merit in that, but you must not confuse being good with being liked.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True greatness requires sacrifices that many are unwilling to make, as often people prioritize being liked over being good.
In this quote, Paul Arden emphasizes that while everyone aspires to be good, the journey toward true greatness demands significant sacrifices that not everyone is willing to make. He points out the common tendency to seek approval and likability, suggesting that while being liked has its own value, it shouldn't overshadow the pursuit of genuine goodness and excellence, which often requires deeper commitment and resilience.
Themes
GreatnessSacrificeGoodnessApprovalLikability
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar to illustrate the meaning of true leadership and sacrifice.
More from Paul Arden
All quotes →Risks are a measure of people. People who won't take them are trying to preserve what they have. People who do take them often end up having more. Some risks have a future, and some people call them wrong. But being right may be like walking backwards proving where you've been. Being wrong isn't in the future, or in the past. Being wrong isn't anywhere but being here. Best place to be, eh?
Paul ArdenRead
We are always waiting for the perfect brief from the perfect client. It almost never happens [...] Whatever is on your desk right now, that's the one. Make it the best you possibly can.
Paul ArdenRead
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