--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was known for being quite... ruthless…" description: "\"I was known for being quite... ruthless at ABB. I drove hard targets, pushed my people. But I was always fair. Once I was convinced of someone, I let t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/dinesh-paliwal-10273_always_i-was-known-for-being-quite-ruthless-at_1847161.jpg" --- # I was known for being quite... ruthless at ABB. I drove… ![“I was known for being quite... ruthless at ABB. I drove hard targets, pushed my people. But I was always fair. Once I was convinced of someone, I let them handle things themselves. But if you kept doing badly, there was no place for you.” quote by Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/dinesh-paliwal-10273_always_i-was-known-for-being-quite-ruthless-at_1847161.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/dinesh-paliwal-10273_always_i-was-known-for-being-quite-ruthless-at_1847161.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/dinesh-paliwal-10273_always_i-was-known-for-being-quite-ruthless-at_1847161.jpg) > “I was known for being quite... ruthless at ABB. I drove hard targets, pushed my people. But I was always fair. Once I was convinced of someone, I let them handle things themselves. But if you kept doing badly, there was no place for you.” [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) ## 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 describes a tough, results‑driven management style that balances high expectations with fairness, granting autonomy to trusted employees but removing underperformers. **In simple terms:** Demanding yet fair leadership; empower trusted staff, cut poor performance. Key Takeaway Set high standards, be fair, empower, and act decisively on failure. Themes leadership performance management fairness Mood determined serious Type leadership management When to use this quote - team building - target setting - performance reviews - termination decisions Key Concepts accountability empowerment discipline Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain fairness while enforcing high standards? - What support helps underperformers improve? A Different Perspective Strict environments can stifle morale if not balanced with support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abb Drove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abb-drove-2398606/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place/) [Pushed People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushed-people-649202/) [Quite Ruthless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quite-ruthless-1049504/) [Ruthless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruthless/) [Ruthless Abb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruthless-abb-2398605/) ## Related quotes > [I'm quite a ruthless, cold-hearted bastard. I always have been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/i-m-quite-a-ruthless-cold-hearted-bastard-i-always-have-been/) [Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/) > [When I put my mind to it I'm quite ruthless with money. I need to know what is going on, because of the amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-jackson/when-i-put-my-mind-to-it-i-m-quite-ruthless-with-money-i-need-to-know/) [Colin Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-jackson/) > [The world is quite ruthless in selecting between the dream and the reality, even where we will not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-world-is-quite-ruthless-in-selecting-between-the-dream-and-the/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [I pushed people away that probably shouldn't have been pushed away, but I just couldn't trust anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordyn-woods/i-pushed-people-away-that-probably-shouldn-t-have-been-pushed-away/) [Jordyn Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordyn-woods/) > [I don't play in spite of people, I play for the people who pushed me along, the people who have helped me succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-marchand/i-don-t-play-in-spite-of-people-i-play-for-the-people-who-pushed-me/) [Brad Marchand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-marchand/) > [“What a shame that he pushed people and relationships away. With a personality transplant he would have the potential to be more than eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-macomber/what-a-shame-that-he-pushed-people-and-relationships-away-with-a/) [Debbie Macomber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-macomber/) > [I wanted to write literature that pushed people into their lives rather than helping people escape from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-pekar/i-wanted-to-write-literature-that-pushed-people-into-their-lives/) [Harvey Pekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-pekar/) > [Sexuality is pushed back more and more and people try to replace what they've lost with other forms of excitement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volkmar-sigusch/sexuality-is-pushed-back-more-and-more-and-people-try-to-replace-what/) [Volkmar Sigusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volkmar-sigusch/) > [Art is art. Television has elevated itself, in certain ways, but it's always pushed people's consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reese-witherspoon/art-is-art-television-has-elevated-itself-in-certain-ways-but-it-s/) [Reese Witherspoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reese-witherspoon/) > [“I'd found out that if you pushed people away hard enough, they tended to go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-matson/i-d-found-out-that-if-you-pushed-people-away-hard-enough-they-tended/) [Morgan Matson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-matson/) > [“He was wild, throwing around words like 'love', He pushed most people away, but not me. With me, he was dying to be saved.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shalanda-stanley/he-was-wild-throwing-around-words-like-love-he-pushed-most-people/) [Shalanda Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shalanda-stanley/) > [“NEVER HURT ANYONE YOU DON’T HAVE TO; NEVER TAKE ANY SHIT FROM ANYONE. WHEN YOU ARE READY TO DIE RATHER THAN BE PUSHED, PEOPLE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-keys-moran/never-hurt-anyone-you-don-t-have-to-never-take-any-shit-from-anyone/) [Daniel Keys Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keys-moran/) > [Some people aren't comfortable with being comfortable. Some people really want to be pushed and find people that they can pull something out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/some-people-aren-t-comfortable-with-being-comfortable-some-people/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [“Never get pushed down by the people that don't like you. Act that you are getting down by them, but keep going for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wouter-van-gastel/never-get-pushed-down-by-the-people-that-don-t-like-you-act-that-you/) [Wouter Van Gastel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wouter-van-gastel/) > [My old man was ruthless. He terrorised us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hunt/my-old-man-was-ruthless-he-terrorised-us/) [Mark Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hunt/) ## More by Dinesh Paliwal > [I don't like to get too caught up in habits because too much structure can stifle creativity. But there are a few habits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/i-don-t-like-to-get-too-caught-up-in-habits-because-too-much/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [Many Western nations have made significant gains through automation and operational excellence, while emerging markets rely on ever-increasing numbers of workers. Each will improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/many-western-nations-have-made-significant-gains-through-automation/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [A strong working relationship requires every participant to be on the same page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/a-strong-working-relationship-requires-every-participant-to-be-on-the/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [Brightstar's global infrastructure, deep wireless experience, and strong channel relationships makes it an optimal partner as we expand the global reach of Harman Lifestyle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/brightstar-s-global-infrastructure-deep-wireless-experience-and/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [A 'first meeting' is, by definition, a one-time opportunity, and there's no going back. Over the course of my career, I've been on both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/a-first-meeting-is-by-definition-a-one-time-opportunity-and-there-s/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [Leaders have to be intensely aware and be bold and flexible enough to adjust course ahead of impending changes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/leaders-have-to-be-intensely-aware-and-be-bold-and-flexible-enough-to/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [I did go to Beijing, with a two-year assignment. I stayed four years. And those four years were the most formative four years in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/i-did-go-to-beijing-with-a-two-year-assignment-i-stayed-four-years/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [Connected vehicle technologies are revolutionizing and democratizing transportation for safer, smarter, more responsible, and more accessible driving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/connected-vehicle-technologies-are-revolutionizing-and-democratizing/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [When our schedules are busy, and we are working hard on the tasks immediately at hand, it can be difficult to see that big,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/when-our-schedules-are-busy-and-we-are-working-hard-on-the-tasks/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [I'm not someone who wants to be second-guessed at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/i-m-not-someone-who-wants-to-be-second-guessed-at-all/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [Relationships are personal, even in business, so sharing some of yourself and taking an interest in others helps to build trust and break down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/relationships-are-personal-even-in-business-so-sharing-some-of/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [Giving back to the communities and institutions that helped us achieve success is a value we share and a privilege we embrace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/giving-back-to-the-communities-and-institutions-that-helped-us/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [I seldom watch TV, but I often get caught up in cricket no matter what time they are on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/i-seldom-watch-tv-but-i-often-get-caught-up-in-cricket-no-matter-what/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [Leaders of companies of any size, at any stage of development spend a lot of time focused on growing the business. We develop our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/leaders-of-companies-of-any-size-at-any-stage-of-development-spend-a/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [I love what I do, and I find personal joy through my work at Harman. My identity is who I am and what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/i-love-what-i-do-and-i-find-personal-joy-through-my-work-at-harman-my/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) [Explore all 66 Dinesh Paliwal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was known for being quite... ruthless at ABB. 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