Business Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““He thought of the meetings of a committee of which Berg was a member. He remembered how carefully and at what length everything relating to form and procedure was discussed at those meetings, and how sedulously and promptly all that related to the gist of the business was evaded.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: War and Peace, 1869
He reflects on how committees get bogged down in procedural details while avoiding substantive issues.
In simple terms: Committees focus on form, not substance.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize substance over procedure.
Themes
bureaucracy
proceduralism
avoidance
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- legislative sessions
- corporate committees
Key Concepts
political science
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can meetings stay on topic?
- What mechanisms ensure substantive discussion?
A Different Perspective
Procedural focus can stall progress.
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