One of the little-celebrated powers of Presidents (and other high government officials) is to listen to their critics with just enough sympathy to ensure their silence.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
In public administration good sense would seem to require that public expectation be kept at the lowest possible level in order to minimize eventual disappointment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Public leaders should manage expectations to prevent disappointment.
John Kenneth Galbraith's quote emphasizes the importance of setting realistic and low expectations in public administration. By doing so, leaders can minimize the risk of disappointment among the public, fostering a more stable and positive perception of government actions and policies.
Themes
Public AdministrationExpectationsDisappointmentLeadership
In practice
Example use cases
During a public speech about budget cuts, a politician could use this quote to frame expectations amongst constituents.
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People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage.
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