Character Quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Character in many ways is everything in leadership. It is made up of many things, but I would say character is really integrity. When you delegate something to a subordinate, for example, it is absolutely your responsibility, and he must understand this. You as a leader must take complete responsibility for what the subordinate does. I once said, as a sort of wisecrack, that leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Leadership principles, 1950s public address
Character, especially integrity, is the foundation of leadership; leaders must own outcomes, credit subordinates for success, and accept blame for failures.
In simple terms: Integrity defines leadership; own outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Lead with responsibility and integrity.
Themes
leadership
integrity
responsibility
Mood
serious
inspirational
Type
ethical
practical
When to use this quote
- corporate management
- military command
- project oversight
Key Concepts
ethical leadership
accountability
team dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance accountability with realistic expectations?
- What systems support shared responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Complete responsibility can be overwhelming and unrealistic.
