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In early Greek society, particularly in Athens, democracy…

“In early Greek society, particularly in Athens, democracy meant the equivalent of a permanent town meeting—all decisions of consequence were made in public assembly. As many professional service firms have rediscovered, this view of democracy tends to result in much wasting of time, slowness of…” quote by David H. Maister
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““In early Greek society, particularly in Athens, democracy meant the equivalent of a permanent town meeting—all decisions of consequence were made in public assembly. As many professional service firms have rediscovered, this view of democracy tends to result in much wasting of time, slowness of response, and extreme conservatism in action.””

David H. Maister

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Democratic decision‑making can become inefficient and overly cautious, slowing action.

In simple terms: Too many voices can stall progress.

Key Takeaway

Balance inclusivity with decisive leadership.

Themes

democracy efficiency decision‑making

Mood

analytical critical

Type

business philosophical

When to use this quote

  • corporate governance
  • project teams
  • community meetings

Key Concepts

organizational behavior collective intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

  • When should you prioritize speed over full consensus?
  • How can groups stay inclusive yet agile?
A Different Perspective

Excessive consensus may hinder timely responses.

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