A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops.
John J. PershingRead
The representatives of business interests are the men to start this enterprise among our people and bring them to a full realization of the very grave seriousness of this war, to make them feel that we are in this war to win, and the probability is that our entering this war is going to be the deciding factor, and that the burden of the success is going to rest upon the United States.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of business leaders in rallying the public for a serious cause, specifically during wartime.
John J. Pershing's quote highlights the critical role that business leaders have in mobilizing society to recognize the importance of victory in war. He articulates that the collective commitment and effort of the nation, especially from influential figures, is essential for success and that the embrace of responsibility for that success will largely fall on the United States.
Themes
WarLeadershipBusinessSuccessResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a discussion on the role of business in supporting national efforts during crises.
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