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About this quote

What does it mean?
Patton distinguishes leadership from herd management and demands clear allegiance.
In plain terms
Lead others or step aside.
What can you take from it?
Take charge or let others lead.

Where it applies

  • team management
  • career planning
  • organizational structure

Putting it to work

  • take initiative
  • find a leader

Questions to consider

  • When must you lead?
  • When is it right to follow?

Another view

It allows no middle ground or collaboration.

More from George S. Patton

  1. There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruct…

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  2. Wonder weapons... my God, I don't see the wonder in them. Killing without heroics, nothing is glorified... nothing is reaffirmed? No heroes, no cowards, no tro…

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  3. There's only one proper way for a professional soldier to die: the last bullet of the last battle of the last war.

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