--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the auto plants in Detroit would just…" description: "\"If the auto plants in Detroit would just sit around the table and say, 'What do we gotta do to make this thing work?' Instead of, 'I want this and I wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b4/richard-m-devos-27521_around_if-the-auto-plants-in-detroit-would-just_58592.jpg" --- # If the auto plants in Detroit would just sit around the… ![“If the auto plants in Detroit would just sit around the table and say, 'What do we gotta do to make this thing work?' Instead of, 'I want this and I want that,' they might make it.” quote by Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b4/richard-m-devos-27521_around_if-the-auto-plants-in-detroit-would-just_58592.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b4/richard-m-devos-27521_around_if-the-auto-plants-in-detroit-would-just_58592.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b4/richard-m-devos-27521_around_if-the-auto-plants-in-detroit-would-just_58592.jpg) > “If the auto plants in Detroit would just sit around the table and say, 'What do we gotta do to make this thing work?' Instead of, 'I want this and I want that,' they might make it.” [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Collaboration and focused problem‑solving outperform fragmented demands; aligning on a shared goal drives effective action. **In simple terms:** Teamwork beats individual wish‑lists. Key Takeaway Align on the problem before proposing solutions. Themes collaboration goal‑orientation problem‑solving team dynamics leadership Mood determined optimistic pragmatic Type advice observation motivational When to use this quote - strategic planning meetings - cross‑functional project teams - community initiatives Key Concepts shared purpose communication decision‑making Practical Applications - facilitating consensus workshops - designing goal‑setting frameworks Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to truly listen to the problem? - How can we shift from competing wants to a unified plan? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Around](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around/) [Around The Table](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around-the-table/) [Auto Plants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/auto-plants-806402/) [Detroit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detroit/) [Detroit Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detroit-just-806403/) [Plants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plants/) [Plants Detroit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plants-detroit-806404/) [Sit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit/) [Table](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/table/) [Want Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-make-239289/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [If I was to keep playing, I had to play in Detroit, and it just wasn't for me anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-johnson/if-i-was-to-keep-playing-i-had-to-play-in-detroit-and-it-just-wasn-t/) [Calvin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-johnson/) > [There aren't any negative thoughts about my time in Detroit; I just didn't play. Sometimes you have to go through that at different stages.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khris-middleton/there-aren-t-any-negative-thoughts-about-my-time-in-detroit-i-just/) [Khris Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khris-middleton/) > [Detroit, it's just an incredible city overall. The people here are so friendly and very outgoing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-drummond/detroit-it-s-just-an-incredible-city-overall-the-people-here-are-so/) [Andre Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-drummond/) > [When I came to Detroit I was just a mild-mannered Sunday-school boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-cobb/when-i-came-to-detroit-i-was-just-a-mild-mannered-sunday-school-boy/) [Ty Cobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-cobb/) > [Tom Gores has been involved in the City of Detroit, not just the surrounding area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-van-gundy/tom-gores-has-been-involved-in-the-city-of-detroit-not-just-the/) [Stan Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-van-gundy/) > [Detroit are just rabid, rabid fans. They'll let you know if they're not happy with something. They're a hardcore group of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-kingston/detroit-are-just-rabid-rabid-fans-they-ll-let-you-know-if-they-re-not/) [Eddie Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-kingston/) > [I've always been a collaborator. For me, it's, 'What's the issue I'm trying to solve? Who are the people we need to bring around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-cortez-masto/i-ve-always-been-a-collaborator-for-me-it-s-what-s-the-issue-i-m/) [Catherine Cortez-Masto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-cortez-masto/) > [“In every way there is, murder is chaos. Our job is simple, when you get down to it: we stand against that, for order.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tana-french/in-every-way-there-is-murder-is-chaos-our-job-is-simple-when-you-get/) [Tana French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tana-french/) > [The best way to promote and protect opportunity is through collaboration, consensus-building, and pragmatic problem-solving. Throughout nearly 30 years in public service, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/the-best-way-to-promote-and-protect-opportunity-is-through/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [“of the ready green on a blue felt top. The gentlemen who had assembled around it for an evening of high-stakes Hold ’Em were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-woodrell/of-the-ready-green-on-a-blue-felt-top-the-gentlemen-who-had-assembled/) [Daniel Woodrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-woodrell/) > [“A CEO calls her staff into the conference room on the eve of the launch of a major new initiative. They file in and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/a-ceo-calls-her-staff-into-the-conference-room-on-the-eve-of-the/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [This is what a family is all about - one another, sitting around the table at night. And it's very, very important, I think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-p-pin/this-is-what-a-family-is-all-about-one-another-sitting-around-the/) [Jacques Pepin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-p-pin/) > [It's around the table and in the preparation of food that we learn about ourselves and about the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-waters/it-s-around-the-table-and-in-the-preparation-of-food-that-we-learn/) [Alice Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-waters/) > [My family, they're story tellers. My mom is Irish, and my dad is Italian. In my family, we weren't allowed to watch TV while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/my-family-they-re-story-tellers-my-mom-is-irish-and-my-dad-is-italian/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [“I remember this country back when I was growing up. We went to church, we ate family suppers around the table, and it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tana-french/i-remember-this-country-back-when-i-was-growing-up-we-went-to-church/) [Tana French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tana-french/) ## More by Richard M. DeVos > [I've by and large been a positive person ever since I can remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/i-ve-by-and-large-been-a-positive-person-ever-since-i-can-remember/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [Delivering the 'Grand Rapids Press' taught me responsibility, accountability, and all the principles of the rewards of hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/delivering-the-grand-rapids-press-taught-me-responsibility/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [A positive attitude is a choice, like walking to the other side of a street to avoid trouble or making a 180-degree turn when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/a-positive-attitude-is-a-choice-like-walking-to-the-other-side-of-a/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [People who achieve the highest levels of success - whether in business or in raising families or simply in discovering fulfillment and satisfaction and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/people-who-achieve-the-highest-levels-of-success-whether-in-business/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [I've learned that positive thinking and encouragement are essential for leadership and progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/i-ve-learned-that-positive-thinking-and-encouragement-are-essential/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [Every society needs people who can encourage and stimulate and cheer. They are the ones who make the world run. You can be one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/every-society-needs-people-who-can-encourage-and-stimulate-and-cheer/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [I still refer to myself as a 'cheerleader' because I keep encouraging others to have confidence and to use their talents to follow their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/i-still-refer-to-myself-as-a-cheerleader-because-i-keep-encouraging/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [I give God the glory for the people I've worked with who have helped me along the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/i-give-god-the-glory-for-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-who-have-helped/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [A positive impact stems from our admission that we were wrong or our thinking was wrong. 'I'm wrong' are two little words that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/a-positive-impact-stems-from-our-admission-that-we-were-wrong-or-our/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [A positive atmosphere nurtures a positive attitude, which is required to take positive action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/a-positive-atmosphere-nurtures-a-positive-attitude-which-is-required/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [If a negative atmosphere pervades where you live or work, go elsewhere. Seek out friends, business associates, and mentors with positive attitudes who share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/if-a-negative-atmosphere-pervades-where-you-live-or-work-go-elsewhere/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [I believe we are more a product of our homes than of any other single influence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/i-believe-we-are-more-a-product-of-our-homes-than-of-any-other-single/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [I learned that you appreciate what you earn much more than what is given you. I also learned that decisions have consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/i-learned-that-you-appreciate-what-you-earn-much-more-than-what-is/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [If I had some idea of a finish line, don't you think I would have crossed it years ago?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/if-i-had-some-idea-of-a-finish-line-don-t-you-think-i-would-have/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) > [Jay and I used to talk about this: we never had a goal of making a lot of money. We had a goal of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-devos/jay-and-i-used-to-talk-about-this-we-never-had-a-goal-of-making-a-lot/) [Richard M. DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) [Explore all 20 Richard M. DeVos quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-devos/) ## More Around quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I've been to Manchester enough to know it's a real place. It's not Factory Records and the Smiths bicycling around. I get it. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/i-ve-been-to-manchester-enough-to-know-it-s-a-real-place-it-s-not/) [James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/) > [I guess I'm attracted to things that are fun. I guess what is fun about this role in 'Suburgatory' is that there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-guess-i-m-attracted-to-things-that-are-fun-i-guess-what-is-fun/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [When I was a teen, I would draw a really, really long line around my eyes with eyeliner, like Lola Flores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalia/when-i-was-a-teen-i-would-draw-a-really-really-long-line-around-my/) [Rosalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalia/) > [I think the issues around diversity of all kinds are really a huge problem in the startup world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lyons/i-think-the-issues-around-diversity-of-all-kinds-are-really-a-huge/) [Daniel Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lyons/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/) [Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/) > [I can look around a room and tell you if there are hidden cameras or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ash/i-can-look-around-a-room-and-tell-you-if-there-are-hidden-cameras-or/) [Lauren Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ash/) > [You couldn't get me to go travel around and sit in a hotel room again. I have no interest in doing that. So everybody's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-everly/you-couldn-t-get-me-to-go-travel-around-and-sit-in-a-hotel-room-again/) [Phil Everly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-everly/) > [I drink maple syrup. Then I'm hyper so I just run around like crazy and work it all off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-drink-maple-syrup-then-i-m-hyper-so-i-just-run-around-like-crazy/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I have to say, I grew up with fashion because my mother was a seamstress, and she had an atelier. She would cut the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-have-to-say-i-grew-up-with-fashion-because-my-mother-was-a/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [Curiosity is the essence of human existence. 'Who are we? Where are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?'... I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/curiosity-is-the-essence-of-human-existence-who-are-we-where-are-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I became an MP in 2017 and have been around to watch Liberal Democrat party membership soar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-moran/i-became-an-mp-in-2017-and-have-been-around-to-watch-liberal-democrat/) [Layla Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-moran/) [Browse all 7,275 Around quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If the auto plants in Detroit would just sit around the table and say, 'What do we gotta do to make this thing work?' Instead of, 'I want this and I want that,' they might make it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard M. 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