Gaze Quote by J.D. Robb
““He held up a hand. "You've come perilously close to being written up for insubordination, Lieutenant. I expect better control from you, and have rarely had the need to remind you of it." "Yes, sir." "Moreover, I find myself insulted both on a personal and professional level that you assumed I had or would approve an asinine schedule that pulls you off a priority." "I apologize, Commander, and can only offer the weak excuse that any and all contact with Lee Chang results in my temporary insanity." "Understood." Whitney turned the disc over in his hand. "It surprises me, Dallas, that you didn't shove this down his throat." "Actually, sir, I had another orifice in mind." His lips quirked, just slightly. Then he snapped the disc in two, just as she had. "Thank you, Commander." "Let's get this damn circus over with, so we can both get back to work.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Darkest Minds” by Alexandra Bracken, 2015
A commander reprimands a subordinate for insubordination while both hide personal tensions, highlighting the clash between authority and personal motives.
In simple terms: Authority clashes with personal motives.
Key Takeaway
Balance duty with empathy.
Themes
authority
conflict
professionalism
Mood
tense
formal
Type
dialogue
dramatic
When to use this quote
- military chain of command
- workplace disputes
- personal grudges
Key Concepts
hierarchy
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders address personal bias?
- What steps restore trust after conflict?
A Different Perspective
Power can blind leaders to underlying issues.
