Captain Quote by John F. Kelly
“The one thing I was always told is you absolutely have to tell truth to power. Whether you're a second lieutenant working with a captain and a lieutenant colonel, or a four-star general working with the Office Secretary of Defense and the White House, the decision makers have got to have ground truth.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Private Sector Leadership Forum, 2018
Truth to power ensures decision makers receive accurate information for effective governance.
In simple terms: Tell leaders the truth.
Key Takeaway
Provide honest information to authority.
Themes
integrity
leadership
transparency
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
ethical
strategic
When to use this quote
- politics
- corporate governance
- military operations
- public policy
Key Concepts
ground truth
decision making
military hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can truth be protected in hierarchical systems?
- What risks arise from withholding truth?
A Different Perspective
Truth may be suppressed by political pressures.
