I only met Margaret Thatcher twice. The thing that I thought about meeting her was how extraordinarily intelligent she was. You really had to be on your game otherwise she'd make mincemeat of you.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the intelligence and formidable presence of Margaret Thatcher, emphasizing the need for preparedness when engaging with strong leaders.
Salman Rushdie's quote reveals his impression of Margaret Thatcher as an extraordinarily intelligent individual who commanded respect and demanded high levels of performance from those around her. Meeting her left an impression not only of her intellect but also of her ability to engage in discussions where one needed to be well-prepared, or else risk being overshadowed in conversation. This serves as a testament to her leadership qualities and the bar she set for intellectual rigor.
In practice
During a leadership seminar, one might reference Rushdie's quote to emphasize the importance of preparation in discussions with influential leaders.
I've been fascinated by Machiavelli since I was very young. I've always felt that he had a bad rap from history, and that he was actually a person quite unlike what we now think of as Machiavellian. He was a republican. He disliked totalitarian government.
Killing people because you don't like their ideas - it's a bad thing.
faith without doubt is addiction
I am clearly vulnerable to these more passionate and volatile unstable relationships. I am trying to not be so vulnerable.
In India, as elsewhere in our darkening world, religion is the poison in the blood. Where religion intervenes, mere innocence is no excuse. Yet we go on skating around this issue, speaking of religion in the fashionable language of 'respect.' What is there to respect in any of this, or in any of the crimes now being committed almost daily around the world in religion's dreaded name?
Reality is a question of perspective; the further you get from the past, the more concrete and plausible it seems - but as you approach the present, it inevitably seems more and more incredible.
I emphasize to C.E.O.s, you have to have a story in the minds of the employees. It's hard to memorize objectives, but it's easy to remember a story.
A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.
Management by results is confusing special causes with common causes.
Some musical directors have more chutzpah. They pick up the phone and talk people into giving. I prefer to call and say 'thank you' after the money has been contributed.
Government's first duty and highest obligation is public safety.
One can lead a nation only by helping it see a bright outlook. A leader is a dealer in hope.
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