Skip to content

Answers Quote by David Trimble

“I was organizing a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party conference in October 1994 and I got a message that the Prime Minister would like a meeting. I went to the meeting. It was just me and John Major.What Major said to me was this: "If you were in my shoes, what would you do?". He wasn't…” quote by David Trimble
Download Open image
“I was organizing a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party conference in October 1994 and I got a message that the Prime Minister would like a meeting. I went to the meeting. It was just me and John Major.What Major said to me was this: "If you were in my shoes, what would you do?". He wasn't asking me what a unionist should do, but what he should do. And I knew that I had to give him a sensible answer.”

David Trimble

About This Quote

Source Speech: Conservative Party Conference, October 1994, UK

He challenges leaders to consider actions from another's perspective, urging empathy and responsibility.

In simple terms: Think like the person in power.

Key Takeaway

Offer practical, empathetic advice.

Themes

leadership empathy decisionmaking

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

political advisory

When to use this quote

  • political negotiations
  • policy advising
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

political strategy perspective taking

Questions to Reflect On

  • How would you act if you were in a leader's position?
  • What factors should guide your answer?
A Different Perspective

Advice may be limited by political constraints and personal bias.

3.8 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by David Trimble

Explore all 18 David Trimble quotes

More Answers quotes

Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes