Grunts on the line, where the enemy wants them dead, still goof off - even knowing that by letting their guard down they might die.
David HackworthRead
If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effective leadership requires strategic planning to avoid situations that can lead to fair fights.
This quote by David Hackworth emphasizes the importance of thorough planning and preparation in leadership and missions. A fair fight implies a lack of advantage or superior strategy, suggesting that true leaders should be proactive in their approach, ensuring they have the upper hand and mitigating risks before engaging in challenging situations.
Themes
LeadershipPlanningStrategyMissionSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
A military leader giving a speech about the importance of strategy.
More from David Hackworth
All quotes βSimilar quotes
The key to victory lies more in manipulation and cooperation than in exceptional personal skills.
Yuval Noah HarariRead
There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized peace.
Woodrow WilsonRead
A player is not going to get minutes just to get minutes. You have to impact winning, you have to put the team first.
Tom ThibodeauRead
You have to adjust to what your team needs and what you're able to do.
Tim DuncanRead
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
Barack ObamaRead
Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.
Magic JohnsonRead