--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I mean, if you're being directed very…" description: "\"I mean, if you're being directed very precisely by somebody who has admiration and who's really smart, it's great. If you're being told what to do by a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/kristin-scott-thomas-6749_admiration_i-mean-if-you-re-being-directed-very-pre_382516.jpg" --- # I mean, if you're being directed very precisely by… ![“I mean, if you're being directed very precisely by somebody who has admiration and who's really smart, it's great. If you're being told what to do by a nincompoop - and luckily that hasn't happened very often - it can be very frustrating.” quote by Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/kristin-scott-thomas-6749_admiration_i-mean-if-you-re-being-directed-very-pre_382516.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/kristin-scott-thomas-6749_admiration_i-mean-if-you-re-being-directed-very-pre_382516.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/kristin-scott-thomas-6749_admiration_i-mean-if-you-re-being-directed-very-pre_382516.jpg) > “I mean, if you're being directed very precisely by somebody who has admiration and who's really smart, it's great. If you're being told what to do by a nincompoop - and luckily that hasn't happened very often - it can be very frustrating.” [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts guidance from a competent, admired mentor with directives from an incompetent source, noting the frustration that can arise from the latter. **In simple terms:** Good guidance feels empowering; bad guidance frustrates. Key Takeaway Seek mentorship from knowledgeable, respectful sources. Themes leadership mentorship frustration Mood thoughtful practical Type advice psychological When to use this quote - career advice - team projects - personal development Key Concepts authority competence communication psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate valuable guidance from noise? - What strategies help you cope with poor direction? A Different Perspective It assumes competence is always recognizable, which may not be true. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admiration/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) ## Related quotes > [I think my admiration is really for Belichick more than anything. As a coach, that's the guy. He'll go down as probably the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ryan/i-think-my-admiration-is-really-for-belichick-more-than-anything-as-a/) [Rex Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ryan/) > [In this artistic world, you might as well find a way to work with somebody that you have admiration for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-renck/in-this-artistic-world-you-might-as-well-find-a-way-to-work-with/) [Johan Renck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-renck/) > [Whenever I win at Ruzzle I feel really smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whenever-i-win-at-ruzzle-i-feel-really-smart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wish I was really smart then all my problems would be solved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wish-i-was-really-smart-then-all-my-problems-would-be-solved/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have a very high respect for professional comedians. What they do astonishes me. You have to be really smart and absorb everything, repackage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-have-a-very-high-respect-for-professional-comedians-what-they-do/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [ We had no idea that this show \[Daredevil\] would be as popular as it was, but with the benefit of hindsight, one thing I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-cox/we-had-no-idea-that-this-show-daredevil-would-be-as-popular-as-it-was/) [Charlie Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-cox/) > [“Three of his greatest characteristics are he’s really smart, he has tremendous energy, and he’ll get into the details with anybody on anything. Most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-crisafulli/three-of-his-greatest-characteristics-are-he-s-really-smart-he-has/) [Patricia Crisafulli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-crisafulli/) > [Something I say a lot when it comes to anti-feminist stereotypes is that they exist for a reason. The stereotypes of feminists as ugly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-valenti/something-i-say-a-lot-when-it-comes-to-anti-feminist-stereotypes-is/) [Jessica Valenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-valenti/) > [Most of the people I know who smoke marijuana are not very bright and what they talk about when they're stoned, they think they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andie-macdowell/most-of-the-people-i-know-who-smoke-marijuana-are-not-very-bright-and/) [Andie MacDowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andie-macdowell/) > [You just can't tell or calibrate motive or intelligence or sense. So I don't read anything unless someone tells me that it's really smart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/you-just-can-t-tell-or-calibrate-motive-or-intelligence-or-sense-so-i/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [“Ever notice how really smart people enjoy making silly jokes?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-chandler/ever-notice-how-really-smart-people-enjoy-making-silly-jokes/) [Elizabeth Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-chandler/) > [The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful. And being generous. Everything else is crap!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-kutcher/the-sexiest-thing-in-the-entire-world-is-being-really-smart-and-being/) [Ashton Kutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-kutcher/) > [ Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre, the guys who run that show \[Big Bang Theory\], are really funny and really smart, and the cast is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-spiner/bill-prady-and-chuck-lorre-the-guys-who-run-that-show-big-bang-theory/) [Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-spiner/) > [We're all born with different talents. I'm really not that smart, but I can see things - financially and development-wise. It's just the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tilman-j-fertitta/we-re-all-born-with-different-talents-i-m-really-not-that-smart-but-i/) [Tilman J. Fertitta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tilman-j-fertitta/) > [A lot of times when you're around really, really smart people, you don't really understand them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martellus-bennett/a-lot-of-times-when-you-re-around-really-really-smart-people-you-don/) [Martellus Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martellus-bennett/) ## More by Kristin Scott Thomas > [People are always saying, English, English, English rose, and I just feel so completely different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/people-are-always-saying-english-english-english-rose-and-i-just-feel/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [You have to think about whether that Mercedes-Benz you have is actually worth how much it costs to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/you-have-to-think-about-whether-that-mercedes-benz-you-have-is/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [My children are lovely. They're perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/my-children-are-lovely-they-re-perfect/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [Baths are my favorite thing. I can have two, three a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/baths-are-my-favorite-thing-i-can-have-two-three-a-day/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [Movies make you immortal and ageless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/movies-make-you-immortal-and-ageless/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [I have never met a woman who works who doesn't feel guilty. I mean we all deny it like crazy but deep down there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-have-never-met-a-woman-who-works-who-doesn-t-feel-guilty-i-mean-we/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [We older women in Europe are lucky not to be shoved away in a drawer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/we-older-women-in-europe-are-lucky-not-to-be-shoved-away-in-a-drawer/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [I tend to do things that I'm very frightened of. That's what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-tend-to-do-things-that-i-m-very-frightened-of-that-s-what-i-do/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [Buy, buy, buy, buy! They want to grab you and trap you and turn you into little Elizabeth Hurleys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/buy-buy-buy-buy-they-want-to-grab-you-and-trap-you-and-turn-you-into/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [With the theatre, your whole day is geared towards the evening's show, and that's the job. People usually go to work about 9 and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/with-the-theatre-your-whole-day-is-geared-towards-the-evening-s-show/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [I'm a bit of a Doubting Thomas - always worrying about things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-m-a-bit-of-a-doubting-thomas-always-worrying-about-things/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [My body is a baby machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/my-body-is-a-baby-machine/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [I find it very difficult to be two different characters at the same time - actress and mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-find-it-very-difficult-to-be-two-different-characters-at-the-same/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [I am sure that, had I grown up with both parents, had I grown up in a safe environment, had I grown up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-am-sure-that-had-i-grown-up-with-both-parents-had-i-grown-up-in-a/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) > [I mean, my father was killed when I was six. And I only have tiny, tiny flashes of memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-scott-thomas/i-mean-my-father-was-killed-when-i-was-six-and-i-only-have-tiny-tiny/) [Kristin Scott Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) [Explore all 97 Kristin Scott Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-scott-thomas/) ## More Admiration quotes > [I have tremendous admiration for companies with the kind of pioneering spirit and innovation eBay has demonstrated from day one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-hammer/i-have-tremendous-admiration-for-companies-with-the-kind-of/) [Bonnie Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-hammer/) > [The older you've gotten, the more respect and admiration you've received.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jupp-heynckes/the-older-you-ve-gotten-the-more-respect-and-admiration-you-ve/) [Jupp Heynckes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jupp-heynckes/) > [I still don't feel I know Hitchcock at all. I find that the more one looks, the more elusive he becomes. But my admiration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-jones/i-still-don-t-feel-i-know-hitchcock-at-all-i-find-that-the-more-one/) [Toby Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-jones/) > [“There have been those among us who have been so dazzled by the might and technological wizardy of Europe that they have been rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahdaf-soueif/there-have-been-those-among-us-who-have-been-so-dazzled-by-the-might/) [Ahdaf Soueif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahdaf-soueif/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Humor is the opposite of all self-admiration and self-praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/humor-is-the-opposite-of-all-self-admiration-and-self-praise/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [“A warm, trustworthy person who is also strong elicits admiration, but only after you’ve established trust does your strength become a gift rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-cuddy/a-warm-trustworthy-person-who-is-also-strong-elicits-admiration-but/) [Amy Cuddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-cuddy/) > [The book it reminded me of most is Henry Miller’s The Books in My Life. Like Miller, Shields manages to convey his affection for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-alexis/the-book-it-reminded-me-of-most-is-henry-miller-s-the-books-in-my/) [Andre Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-alexis/) > [... we need to interrogate "reverence," for idolization can be another way one is objectified and not really taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/we-need-to-interrogate-reverence-for-idolization-can-be-another-way/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/it-may-be-important-to-great-thinkers-to-examine-the-world-to-explain/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“There must be a reason to smile, Miss François. Will you supply one?" It was Daisy's turn to stare. For a long moment they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-jo-wright/there-must-be-a-reason-to-smile-miss-fran-ois-will-you-supply-one-it/) [Jaime Jo Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-jo-wright/) > [“Let me make two remarks. First I concentrate on the task ahead for 2016. I’m quite busy with that—thank you very much. 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