Approval Quote by John Paul Jones
“It is by no means enough that an officer should be capable. . . . He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor. . . . No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention, even if the reward be only one word of approval. Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Naval Leadership Principles, 1790s
A leader must combine competence with cultured conduct, attentive recognition, and vigilant criticism of subordinates.
In simple terms: Leaders need skill, education, courtesy, and fairness.
Key Takeaway
Balance competence with character and attentiveness.
Themes
leadership
ethics
recognition
accountability
Mood
respectful
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
advice
philosophical
leadership
When to use this quote
- military command
- team management
- performance reviews
Key Concepts
gentlemanly conduct
honor
attention to detail
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure fair recognition without bias?
- What practices keep you attentive to both strengths and faults?
A Different Perspective
Leaders may lack time to notice every act, risking micromanagement.
![“[Professor Greene's] reaction to GAMAY, as published in the Yale Daily News, fairly took one's breath away. He fondled the word "fascist" as though he had come up with a Dead Sea Scroll vouchsafing the key word to the understanding of God and Man at Yale. In a few sentences he used the term…” quote by William F. Buckley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/709/william-f-buckley-jr-2-34056_daily-news_professor-greene-s-reaction-to-gamay-as_200893.jpg)
