Skip to content

As I said earlier, for the first several months under…

“As I said earlier, for the first several months under Obama, it took a lot of discipline to sit quietly at the table as everyone from the president on down took shots at Bush and his team. Sitting there, I would often think to myself, Am I invisible? During those excoriations, there was never any…” quote by Robert M. Gates
Download Open image
““As I said earlier, for the first several months under Obama, it took a lot of discipline to sit quietly at the table as everyone from the president on down took shots at Bush and his team. Sitting there, I would often think to myself, Am I invisible? During those excoriations, there was never any acknowledgment that I had been an integral part of that earlier team.””

Robert M. Gates

About This Quote

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

The speaker felt invisible despite past contributions, highlighting a lack of recognition during criticism.

In simple terms: Feeling ignored despite past work.

Key Takeaway

Seek acknowledgment and assert presence.

Themes

recognition invisibility politics

Mood

reflective serious

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • corporate meetings
  • public hearings
  • team projects

Key Concepts

leadership team dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can one ensure contributions are seen?
  • What strategies counteract invisibility?
A Different Perspective

Recognition may be biased by politics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Robert M. Gates

Explore all 143 Robert M. Gates quotes

More Discipline quotes

Browse all 5,597 Discipline quotes