Eisenhower Quote by Michael Bungay Stanier
““Eisenhower who said, “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable,””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1955 (at a NATO summit)
Planning is essential even if the plan itself may become obsolete.
In simple terms: Planning matters more than the plan.
Key Takeaway
Embrace planning, adapt as needed.
Themes
strategy
adaptability
preparation
Mood
strategic
pragmatic
Type
inspirational
practical
When to use this quote
- project management
- military operations
- personal goal setting
Key Concepts
systems thinking
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance planning with adaptability?
- When should you discard a plan?
A Different Perspective
Plans can become rigid and limit flexibility.
![“I played with [Dwight Eisenhower] on the day after I won the Masters at his request. We became everlasting friends. I was with him the day before he died at Walter Reed.” quote by Arnold Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e2c/arnold-palmer-2127_died_i-played-with-dwight-eisenhower-on-the-d_141346.jpg)
![“I think it [presidency of Dwight Eisenhower] came too late and I think that he is not on the wavelength of this dreadful time through which we're living.” quote by Malcolm Muggeridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/442/malcolm-muggeridge-2370_dwight_i-think-it-presidency-of-dwight-eisenhow_270940.jpg)
![“I think that President [Dwight] Eisenhower was... did the most marvelous job in the war, not really a military job: a public relations job, and it was essential that there should be a public relations job done in the post that he had.” quote by Malcolm Muggeridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f8/malcolm-muggeridge-2370_done_i-think-that-president-dwight-eisenhower_288256.jpg)