Bad Quote by Betsy DeVos
“Government likes committees... a lot. Committees kill all the really good ideas and generally all the really bad ideas. They produce middle-ground mush.”
About This Quote
Committees tend to dilute ideas, favoring compromise over boldness, resulting in mediocrity.
In simple terms: Committees produce mediocrity.
Key Takeaway
Avoid over‑reliance on committees.
Themes
Decision‑making
Compromise
Innovation
Power dynamics
Organizational behavior
Mood
Cautious
Critical
Reflective
Type
Observation
Critique
Political
When to use this quote
- Corporate board meetings
- Legislative drafting
- Project team planning
- Academic committees
- Non‑profit governance
Key Concepts
Groupthink
Bureaucracy
Risk aversion
Practical Applications
- Design streamlined decision processes
- Implement idea‑filtering stages
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a committee add value?
- How can we preserve bold ideas within collaborative processes?
A Different Perspective
Some committees can harness diverse expertise to improve outcomes, especially when structured with clear authority and timelines.
