John F. Kennedy's death was as personal a body blow to most of the nation's young people. Why? It seems to me that the answer is simple: He was the symbol of the new gernation grasping the tiller of the ship of state for the first time, and finding it exhilarating, exciting, challenging. He knew that there is an element of danger in accepting a challenge - in taking a risk that is beyond what is expected of you, beyond what you may expect of yourself.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker reflects on JFK's death, suggesting youth felt challenged and energized by his leadership and risk-taking.
- In plain terms
- Young people were inspired by Kennedy's willingness to take risks and lead.
- What can you take from it?
- Leadership inspires when it embraces challenge and risk.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a leader inspiring?
- How does risk define leadership?
Another view
The quote generalizes the emotional response of an entire generation.
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