There used to be a time when this country's president could have delivered the same New Year's Address he had given a year before, and nobody would have noticed. Fortunately, that time has passed.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Havel notes that public attention now ensures presidential speeches are noticed, unlike in the past.
- In plain terms
- People now pay attention to leaders, so messages matter.
- What can you take from it?
- Public scrutiny makes leadership communication meaningful.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does public attention demand from leaders?
- How has media changed politics?
Another view
Attention may focus on spectacle rather than substance of messages.
More from Vaclav Havel
People, your government has returned to you!
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