Government Quote by Matthew Polly
““This was not uncommon in government-run operations, where a request that someone do their job often induced a catatonic state that might last anywhere from a couple of minutes to an hour.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, 2005
Government bureaucracy can paralyze people, causing them to freeze instead of acting.
In simple terms: Bureaucracy can cause inaction.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and cut red tape.
Themes
bureaucracy
government
inefficiency
Mood
frustrated
critical
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- office work
- policy implementation
- emergency response
- public administration
Key Concepts
psychology
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How does bureaucracy affect decision making?
- What can empower individuals to act despite red tape?
A Different Perspective
Even with clear directives, fear of repercussions can still stall action.
![“[...] it doesn't take much courage to fight when you still believe you can win. What takes real courage is to keep fighting when all hope is gone.” quote by Matthew Polly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c91/matthew-polly-35682_courage_it-doesn-t-take-much-courage-to-fight-wh_305516.jpg)
![“[...] The monks sped up the process up for us laowai who have less time, less patience for basics, and a greater need for external markers of our accomplishments.” quote by Matthew Polly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bf9/matthew-polly-35682_china_the-monks-sped-up-the-process-up-for-us_2141843.jpg)
