The really tough thing would have been to decide to take Woodward and Bernstein off the story. They were carrying the coal for us - in that their stories were right.
Ben BradleeRead
Hire people smarter than you are and encourage them to bloom.
Interpretation
Value and empower those who are more knowledgeable to contribute their best.
This quote emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with talented individuals and fostering an environment where they can excel. By hiring people who possess greater intelligence or skills, leaders can create a strong team that collectively achieves more than any single individual could, ultimately leading to greater innovation and success.
In practice
In a team meeting, while discussing project roles, you might say, 'Remember, we should hire people smarter than us to ensure our project's success.'
The really tough thing would have been to decide to take Woodward and Bernstein off the story. They were carrying the coal for us - in that their stories were right.
As long as a journalist tells the truth, in conscience and fairness, it is not his job to worry about consequences. The truth is never as dangerous as a lie in the long run. I truly believe the truth sets men free.
It changes your life, the pursuit of truth.
Sure, some journalists use anonymous sources just because theyβre lazy, and I think editors ought to insist on more precise identification even if they remain anonymous.
Sometimes I am convinced there is nothing wrong with this country that couldn't be cured by the magical implantation of ethical standards on us all - leaders and followers. Until that becomes doable, the Center for Public Integrity is just about the best thing we have going for us.
Nothing's riding on this, except the First Amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press and maybe the future of the country. Not that any of that matters, but if you guys f-k up again, I'm gonna get mad.
There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.
I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.
Organizational structures that allow divisions and departments to own their turf and people with long tenure to take root creates the same hardened group distinctions as Congressional redistricting to produce homogeneous voting blocs - all of which makes it easier to resist compromise, let alone collaboration.
One of the things my parents taught me, and I'll always be grateful as a gift, is to not ever let anybody else define me; that for me to define myself. and I think that helped me a lot in assuming a leadership position.
The challenge we now face is to build on the record of the past, to continue accepting new responsibilities and seeking new opportunities to serve.
A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group - that's teamwork.
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