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About this quote

What does it mean?
A leader uses a physical limitation as an excuse to ignore a command that contradicts their judgment.
In plain terms
He claims he is blind sometimes to avoid seeing a signal he does not want to follow.
What can you take from it?
Sometimes you must ignore orders to follow your instincts.

Where it applies

  • military command
  • corporate leadership
  • ethical decisions

Putting it to work

  • trust your judgment when orders conflict
  • identify moments to deviate from protocol

Questions to consider

  • When is disobedience justified in a chain of command?

Another view

Ignoring signals can lead to catastrophic errors.

More from Horatio Nelson

  1. It is warm work; and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment. But mark you! I would not be elsewhere for thousands.

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  2. If a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting.

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  3. My greatest happiness is to serve my gracious King and Country and I am envious only of glory; for if it be a sin to covet glory I am the most offending soul a…

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