Journalism still, in a democracy, is the essential force to get the public educated and mobilized to take action on behalf of our ancient ideals.
Doris Kearns GoodwinRead
Once a president gets to the White House, the only audience that is left that really matters is history.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true significance of a president's actions is judged by history rather than immediate public opinion.
This quote emphasizes the importance of legacy and long-term impact in leadership, particularly for presidents. It suggests that while a president may be influenced by current events and public perception while in office, ultimately, it is how they are remembered by history that holds the greatest significance, highlighting the weight of their decisions on future generations.
Themes
PresidentHistoryLeadershipLegacyPublic Opinion
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about leadership qualities at a conference.
More from Doris Kearns Goodwin
All quotes βWe've got to figure out a way that we give a private sphere for our public leaders. We're not gonna get the best people in public life if we don't do that.
Doris Kearns GoodwinRead
That is what leadership is all about: staking your ground ahead of where opinion is and convincing people, not simply following the popular opinion of the moment.
Doris Kearns GoodwinRead
I am a historian. With the exception of being a wife and mother, it is who I am. And there is nothing I take more seriously.
Doris Kearns GoodwinRead
Obama does seem to have what both FDR and Lincoln had, which is the recognition that you have to hold back at times and then wait to come forward.
Doris Kearns GoodwinRead
Those who knew Lincoln described him as an extraordinarily funny man. Humor was an essential aspect of his temperament. He laughed, he explained, so he did not weep.
Doris Kearns GoodwinRead
Similar quotes
I want to organize so that women see ourselves as people who are entitled to power, entitled to leadership.
Patricia IrelandRead
Look - this is the terror of being a founder & CEO. It is all your fault. Every decision, every person you hire, every dumb thing you buy or do - ultimately, you're at the end.
Ben HorowitzRead
The great illusion of leadership is to think that man can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there.
Henri NouwenRead
That's a strong sign of a good coach, to let an assistant participate. It shows his confidence in the coach's ability not to have to dominate everything.
Jerry WestRead
Great communication depends on two simple skills-context, which attunes a leader to the same frequency as his or her audience, and delivery, which allows a leader to phrase messages in a language the audience can understand.
John C. MaxwellRead
Most human organizations that fall short of their goals do so not because of stupidity or faulty doctrines, but because of internal decay and rigidification.
James A. GarfieldRead