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.
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
What this quote means
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.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar, one might reference Rushdie's quote to emphasize the importance of preparation in discussions with influential leaders.
More from Salman Rushdie
All quotes →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.
Similar quotes
I met all these important people and did all these stories, but I always had such excellent producers and assistants. I could show up to interview a world leader or a criminal and they would have things so well prepared anyone could have done it. It wasn't about 'me,' it was about 'us.'
Strategy is a commodity, execution is an art.
Dhoni Is The Best Captain I Have Played Under
The difference between a good and great officer is about ten seconds.
I’d rather interview 50 people and not hire anyone than hire the wrong person.
Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down. _x000D_ _x000D_ Respect for one's superiors; care for one's crew.