Business Quote by Leo Burnett
“A company in which anyone is afraid to speak up, to differ, to be daring and original, is closing the coffin door on itself.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Advertising Conference, 1975
A culture that suppresses dissent stifles innovation and leads to self‑destruction.
In simple terms: Silencing dissent harms a company.
Key Takeaway
Encourage open dialogue.
Themes
leadership
culture
innovation
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
motivational
strategic
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- brainstorm sessions
- feedback loops
- company policies
Key Concepts
organizational behavior
psychology
risk taking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders model vulnerability?
- What structures support safe dissent?
A Different Perspective
Fear of speaking up can be mitigated by strong leadership, not just policies.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
