--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a leader you can get sidetracked but…" description: "\"As a leader you can get sidetracked but you have to complete your mission\" — Mike Krzyzewski" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ad/mike-krzyzewski-2324_complete_as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but_948281.png" --- # As a leader you can get sidetracked but you have to… ![“As a leader you can get sidetracked but you have to complete your mission” quote by Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ad/mike-krzyzewski-2324_complete_as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but_948281.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ad/mike-krzyzewski-2324_complete_as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but_948281.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ad/mike-krzyzewski-2324_complete_as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but_948281.png) > “As a leader you can get sidetracked but you have to complete your mission” [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders may be distracted, but they must stay focused to achieve their goals. **In simple terms:** Stay focused on the mission despite distractions. Key Takeaway Prioritize mission completion. Themes leadership focus determination Mood determined serious Type motivational leadership When to use this quote - team projects - business initiatives - personal objectives Key Concepts goal orientation self‑discipline Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize when you’re sidetracked? - What strategies keep you on course? A Different Perspective Distractions can erode progress if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Sidetracked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sidetracked/) ## Related quotes > [We won't let you down. We will work together and successfully complete this mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-yang/we-won-t-let-you-down-we-will-work-together-and-successfully-complete/) [Liu Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-yang/) > [“Complete the mission! Paint them red!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-sullivan/complete-the-mission-paint-them-red/) [J.M. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-sullivan/) > [America will complete its mission in Afghanistan and achieve our objective of defeating the core of al Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-will-complete-its-mission-in-afghanistan-and-achieve-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“My old man's dying words echoed in my head once more, It was clear that I had one last mission. And I always, always,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/my-old-man-s-dying-words-echoed-in-my-head-once-more-it-was-clear/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [I was actually going to be a chef before I got sidetracked. I used to make deserts for restaurants as a young teenage mother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-somers/i-was-actually-going-to-be-a-chef-before-i-got-sidetracked-i-used-to/) [Suzanne Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-somers/) > [I never wanted to be a filmmaker. I still, sometimes, think I got sidetracked by this, like this is a tangent. My main thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taika-waititi/i-never-wanted-to-be-a-filmmaker-i-still-sometimes-think-i-got/) [Taika Waititi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taika-waititi/) > [There are nice things in the world - and I mean nice things. We're all such morons to get so sidetracked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger-2/there-are-nice-things-in-the-world-and-i-mean-nice-things-we-re-all/) [J. D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger-2/) > [He didn't maintain my illusion of myself, he gave me an illusion of myself. 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Otherwise, I get sidetracked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-iaquinta/for-me-being-active-is-a-good-thing-otherwise-i-get-sidetracked/) [Al Iaquinta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-iaquinta/) > [It's easy to get sidetracked with technology, and that is the danger, but ultimately you have to see what works with the music and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/it-s-easy-to-get-sidetracked-with-technology-and-that-is-the-danger/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) > [I had a real good thing going for me, and I got sidetracked. It doesn't have to be that way. It doesn't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-caminiti/i-had-a-real-good-thing-going-for-me-and-i-got-sidetracked-it-doesn-t/) Ken Caminiti > [A lot of drummers get sidetracked by the instrument. It can engulf you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tre-cool/a-lot-of-drummers-get-sidetracked-by-the-instrument-it-can-engulf-you/) [Tre Cool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tre-cool/) > [How could you let yourself be sidetracked while I was waiting for your breath on my back?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-gavalda/how-could-you-let-yourself-be-sidetracked-while-i-was-waiting-for/) [Anna Gavalda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-gavalda/) ## More by Mike Krzyzewski > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Good sound habits are more important than rules - use concepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/good-sound-habits-are-more-important-than-rules-use-concepts/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Always get back to your core principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/always-get-back-to-your-core-principles/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Parents can really help, but they can also really hinder the development of their youngsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/parents-can-really-help-but-they-can-also-really-hinder-the/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [That's what I do now: I lead and I teach. If we win basketball games from doing that, then that's great, but I lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/that-s-what-i-do-now-i-lead-and-i-teach-if-we-win-basketball-games/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I hated to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-hated-to-lose/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [We lost, and that's the main thing that went wrong,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/we-lost-and-that-s-the-main-thing-that-went-wrong/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Leadership is simple: Add value to people everyday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/leadership-is-simple-add-value-to-people-everyday/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [As teachers and coaches, we must remember that when mere winning is our only goal, we are doomed to disappointment and failure. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-teachers-and-coaches-we-must-remember-that-when-mere-winning-is/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I don't think we surprise people. We try to out-execute them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-think-we-surprise-people-we-try-to-out-execute-them/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [A common mistake among those who work in sport is spending a disproportional amount of time on "x's and o's" as compared to time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/a-common-mistake-among-those-who-work-in-sport-is-spending-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [If you set up an atmosphere of community and trust, it becomes a tradition. Older team members will establish your credibility with newer ones.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/if-you-set-up-an-atmosphere-of-community-and-trust-it-becomes-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [Confidence shared is better than confidence only in yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/confidence-shared-is-better-than-confidence-only-in-yourself/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [A leader's responsibility to his team is paramount. It overshadows even his own personal feelings at any given time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/a-leader-s-responsibility-to-his-team-is-paramount-it-overshadows/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [The only way you're going to grow is to be in difficult situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/the-only-way-you-re-going-to-grow-is-to-be-in-difficult-situations/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) [Explore all 171 Mike Krzyzewski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) ## More Complete quotes > [Intel has a very complete process that I go through any time I want to sell that ensures I have no insider information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-krzanich/intel-has-a-very-complete-process-that-i-go-through-any-time-i-want/) [Brian Krzanich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-krzanich/) > [Skiing fast feels like complete freedom to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kt-tunstall/skiing-fast-feels-like-complete-freedom-to-me/) [KT Tunstall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kt-tunstall/) > [“Complete - Yourself! Others may only enhance your completeness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lashauna-d-hinton/complete-yourself-others-may-only-enhance-your-completeness/) Lashauna D. Hinton > [Being trendy is alright, but clubbing all the trends in one look is a complete no.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fawad-khan/being-trendy-is-alright-but-clubbing-all-the-trends-in-one-look-is-a/) [Fawad Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fawad-khan/) > [Each soul on earth is complete unto itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-nepo/each-soul-on-earth-is-complete-unto-itself/) [Mark Nepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-nepo/) > [I'm so proud of you, Ani so proud I missed you so much now I am complete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shmi-skywalker/i-m-so-proud-of-you-ani-so-proud-i-missed-you-so-much-now-i-am/) [Shmi Skywalker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shmi-skywalker/) > [When Apple introduced its game-changing iPhone in 2007, Nokia was caught sleeping on the job. Although it had actually developed an iPhone-style device -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noreena-hertz/when-apple-introduced-its-game-changing-iphone-in-2007-nokia-was/) [Noreena Hertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noreena-hertz/) > [When I'm working in finite serials, I always think in terms of the entire book rather than the individual episode because, by far, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-ellis/when-i-m-working-in-finite-serials-i-always-think-in-terms-of-the/) [Warren Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-ellis/) > [I'm actually, for the most part, a complete agnostic politically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-witten/i-m-actually-for-the-most-part-a-complete-agnostic-politically/) [Edward Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-witten/) > [I produced and acted in 'Ek Duaa' which is a complete female-centric film. It was very well received.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-deol/i-produced-and-acted-in-ek-duaa-which-is-a-complete-female-centric/) [Esha Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-deol/) > [In my work I have complete control, but about my life, I don't want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-abramovic/in-my-work-i-have-complete-control-but-about-my-life-i-don-t-want-to/) [Marina Abramovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-abramovic/) > [Actually, I failed drama in high school because of nerves. I wasn't able to memorize the words. I had complete stage fright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-marie/actually-i-failed-drama-in-high-school-because-of-nerves-i-wasn-t/) [Constance Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-marie/) > [To have weakness is not to be flawed--it's to be complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/to-have-weakness-is-not-to-be-flawed-it-s-to-be-complete/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Through all this other stuff I was doing, I always went back to the writing, and it was writing that made me feel whole,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dannah-gresh/through-all-this-other-stuff-i-was-doing-i-always-went-back-to-the/) [Dannah Gresh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dannah-gresh/) > [I'm a complete addict of The 'X Factor,' so I can see why everyone gets so inspired. But there's a downside to celebrity: your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-quick/i-m-a-complete-addict-of-the-x-factor-so-i-can-see-why-everyone-gets/) [Diana Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-quick/) Browse all 823 Complete quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a leader you can get sidetracked but you have to complete your mission", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Krzyzewski" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but-you-have-to-complete-your/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Complete" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but-you-have-to-complete-your/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ad/mike-krzyzewski-2324_complete_as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but_948281.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ad/mike-krzyzewski-2324_complete_as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but_948281.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ad/mike-krzyzewski-2324_complete_as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but_948281.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As a leader you can get sidetracked but you have to complete your mission” — Mike Krzyzewski", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mike Krzyzewski", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As a leader you can get...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but-you-have-to-complete-your/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/as-a-leader-you-can-get-sidetracked-but-you-have-to-complete-your/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```