--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What drives society forward is having a…" description: "\"“What drives society forward is having a strong backbone of people willing to do the jobs that their leaders don’t want to dirty their hands with.”\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/509/helen-harper-29706_leader_what-drives-society-forward-is-having-a_2463399.jpg" --- # What drives society forward is having a strong backbone of… ![“What drives society forward is having a strong backbone of people willing to do the jobs that their leaders don’t want to dirty their hands with.” quote by Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/509/helen-harper-29706_leader_what-drives-society-forward-is-having-a_2463399.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/509/helen-harper-29706_leader_what-drives-society-forward-is-having-a_2463399.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/509/helen-harper-29706_leader_what-drives-society-forward-is-having-a_2463399.jpg) > ““What drives society forward is having a strong backbone of people willing to do the jobs that their leaders don’t want to dirty their hands with.”” [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal progress relies on those who perform essential, often unglamorous work that leaders avoid. **In simple terms:** Hard work by ordinary people drives society. Key Takeaway Value and support the unseen labor. Themes labor society leadership humility Mood reflective appreciative Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - community projects - public services - volunteer work Key Concepts social contract economic foundations Questions to Reflect On - Who are the unsung workers in your life? - How can you recognize their contributions? A Different Perspective Leaders may still exploit or ignore these workers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) ## Related quotes > [Books are precious things, but more than that, they are the strong backbone of civilization. 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Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [We need to and must protect privacy. But I think that people will be willing and even eager to share medical information about themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-soon-shiong/we-need-to-and-must-protect-privacy-but-i-think-that-people-will-be/) [Patrick Soon-Shiong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-soon-shiong/) > [You can't just have a clean public space - you also have to have people willing to use it, and something that will draw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/you-can-t-just-have-a-clean-public-space-you-also-have-to-have-people/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [It amazes me how people are often more willing to act based on little or no data than to use data that is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-amazes-me-how-people-are-often-more-willing-to-act-based-on-little/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm so thankful that there are people willing to do that - to actually carry a child nine months for someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glozell/i-m-so-thankful-that-there-are-people-willing-to-do-that-to-actually/) GloZell ## More by Helen Harper > [“From somewhere above me, there was an irritated hiss. ‘Food.’ I strained my head upwards. ‘Hi, Brutus.’ His yellow eyes stared down at me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-harper/from-somewhere-above-me-there-was-an-irritated-hiss-food-i-strained/) [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) > [“Death is quick. It’s the end. And everyone dies. It’s not punishment because it’s inevitable.’ Bob”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-harper/death-is-quick-it-s-the-end-and-everyone-dies-it-s-not-punishment/) [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) > [“Afford me a very enjoyable view of his arse, which was a particularly tight and well-rounded specimen. 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It suited her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-harper/soft-and-sweet-to-look-at-with-a-prickly-personality-and-a-streak-of/) [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) > [“I pulled out, making the driver in the battered BMW coming up behind me gesture in my direction with an angry scowl. Now, now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-harper/i-pulled-out-making-the-driver-in-the-battered-bmw-coming-up-behind/) [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) > [“I don't think I'm in love with you; I know I'm in love with you. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-harper/harold-i-called-harold-it-s-ivy-from-down-the-hall-the-cat-didn-t/) [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) > [“Herblorists enjoyed long-winded arguments about which type of salt was most effective. I had heard that the Order even employed a selmelier, like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-harper/herblorists-enjoyed-long-winded-arguments-about-which-type-of-salt/) [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) > [“I order three martinis and down them in quick succession, shuddering at the strength of the alcohol. 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