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So I made a mistake. That happens. It proves I'm human, which you know, for some people, is a revelation....I was also told that the greeting ceremony had been moved away from the tarmac but that there was this eight-year-old girl and I said, 'Well, I, I can't, I can't rush by her, I've got to at least greet her.' So I greeted her, I took her stuff and I left. Now that's my memory of it.

Hillary Clinton#49

LeadershipPublic perceptionHumanityMemory

About this quote

What does it mean?
Clinton reflects on a perceived mistake regarding a greeting ceremony, stating it proves humanity, and recounts her memory of prioritizing a child's greeting.
In plain terms
She says making mistakes is human and recalls greeting a child instead of following protocol.
What can you take from it?
Prioritizing people over protocol can be a humanizing moment.

Where it applies

  • public events
  • press scrutiny
  • travel

Putting it to work

  • humanize mistakes
  • explain intent

Questions to consider

  • When is protocol less important than people?
  • How much detail should leaders share about errors?

Another view

Personal memory may differ from recorded events.

More from Hillary Clinton

  1. I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport but instead we just ran with our heads down to g…

    Permalink to quote #48
  2. I was sleep-deprived, and I misspoke.

    Permalink to quote #50
  3. I remember, particularly, a trip to Bosnia where the welcoming ceremony had to be moved inside because of sniper fire.

    Permalink to quote #47

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