--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are susceptible to pursuing paths that…" description: "\"“We are susceptible to pursuing paths that are based on someone else’s compass rather than our own.”\" — Robert S. Kaplan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/robert-s-kaplan-14993_paths_we-are-susceptible-to-pursuing-paths-tha_1619913.png" --- # We are susceptible to pursuing paths that are based on… ![“We are susceptible to pursuing paths that are based on someone else’s compass rather than our own.” quote by Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/robert-s-kaplan-14993_paths_we-are-susceptible-to-pursuing-paths-tha_1619913.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/robert-s-kaplan-14993_paths_we-are-susceptible-to-pursuing-paths-tha_1619913.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed6/robert-s-kaplan-14993_paths_we-are-susceptible-to-pursuing-paths-tha_1619913.png) > ““We are susceptible to pursuing paths that are based on someone else’s compass rather than our own.”” [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Following others' directions leads to misaligned paths; true direction comes from personal values and goals. **In simple terms:** Follow your own compass. Key Takeaway Define your own path. Themes self-determination authenticity leadership direction Mood thoughtful motivational Type strategic reflective When to use this quote - career planning - creative projects - personal relationships Key Concepts strategic thinking personal values decision making Questions to Reflect On - What compass guides your decisions? - When should you seek external advice? A Different Perspective External guidance can be valuable when balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Based Compass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based-compass-256776/) [Paths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paths/) [Pursuing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuing/) [Pursuing Paths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuing-paths-256774/) [Susceptible Pursuing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/susceptible-pursuing-256775/) ## Related quotes > [I would call myself a Gnostic. Which means, I'm interested in pursuing and understanding the spiritual nature of things. A Gnostic is somebody seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-crumb/i-would-call-myself-a-gnostic-which-means-i-m-interested-in-pursuing/) [Robert Crumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-crumb/) > [Pursuing all my happiness I want a fearless love I won't settle for anything less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/pursuing-all-my-happiness-i-want-a-fearless-love-i-won-t-settle-for/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [“Why is it that when Robert Redford-cum-Denys Finch Hatton flies away in the golden glow out of Africa, he is pursuing his destiny? And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-morris/why-is-it-that-when-robert-redford-cum-denys-finch-hatton-flies-away/) [Holly Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-morris/) > [I'll always try to follow my heart into things I love, and modelling is not something I'm dreaming of pursuing forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-cole/i-ll-always-try-to-follow-my-heart-into-things-i-love-and-modelling/) [Lily Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-cole/) > [“Pursuing a dream without God’s approval is as dangerous as walking on a rope bridge over a big gutter? Guess the end….!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/pursuing-a-dream-without-god-s-approval-is-as-dangerous-as-walking-on/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“There is nothing crazy about a dream. There is nothing crazy about pursuing your dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/destin-bays/there-is-nothing-crazy-about-a-dream-there-is-nothing-crazy-about/) [Destin Bays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/destin-bays/) > [“The best posture you can adopt when pursuing your goals is neither to stand nor sit. The best position is to STANDOUT! Everyone may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/the-best-posture-you-can-adopt-when-pursuing-your-goals-is-neither-to/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good, in our own way, so long as we do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-only-freedom-which-deserves-the-name-is-that-of-pursuing-our-own/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [Pursuing success is like chasing the horizon, and failure is an integral part of an interesting life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/pursuing-success-is-like-chasing-the-horizon-and-failure-is-an/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I'm always doing things I feel like I should do. But avoiding regret does not mean you are pursuing what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pokimane/i-m-always-doing-things-i-feel-like-i-should-do-but-avoiding-regret/) [Pokimane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pokimane/) > [Never Let Anyone Get In The Way Of Pursuing YOUR Dreams. They're Yours For A Reason!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-let-anyone-get-in-the-way-of-pursuing-your-dreams-they-re-yours/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was pursuing the arts with theater in school, and I was doing after-school activities, but not in any real movement towards a professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uzo-aduba/i-was-pursuing-the-arts-with-theater-in-school-and-i-was-doing-after/) [Uzo Aduba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uzo-aduba/) > [It's about pursuing it rather than waiting to see what comes along. That's partly because I found myself getting typecast, as everyone does unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-bale/it-s-about-pursuing-it-rather-than-waiting-to-see-what-comes-along/) [Christian Bale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-bale/) > [“For the past has taught to not be caught, in what is not worth pursuing—”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lang-leav/for-the-past-has-taught-to-not-be-caught-in-what-is-not-worth-pursuing/) [Lang Leav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lang-leav/) > [“Every so often, Zach would say things like, “I like you,” or, “We think a lot alike.” I naively agreed with him because even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-benedict/every-so-often-zach-would-say-things-like-i-like-you-or-we-think-a/) [Charles Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-benedict/) ## More by Robert S. Kaplan > [“To improve your skills, you need to be receptive to constructive criticism and open to feeling uncomfortable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/to-improve-your-skills-you-need-to-be-receptive-to-constructive/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [I like films about people who figured out what they believed and had the guts to act on it in a way that added…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/i-like-films-about-people-who-figured-out-what-they-believed-and-had/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [“If you want to reach your potential, you must be willing to figure out what you believe and have the courage to act on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/if-you-want-to-reach-your-potential-you-must-be-willing-to-figure-out/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Leadership is a team sport - learning to work with others is a critical skill. This means articulating a clear vision, setting priorities, giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/leadership-is-a-team-sport-learning-to-work-with-others-is-a-critical/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Consistent alignment of capabilities and internal processes with the customer value proposition is the core of any strategy execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/consistent-alignment-of-capabilities-and-internal-processes-with-the/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Managing risk is very different from managing strategy. Risk management focuses on the negative-threats and failures rather than opportunities and successes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/managing-risk-is-very-different-from-managing-strategy-risk/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Reaching your potential is a disciplined process. Like losing weight or getting in shape - there is no final destination and it requires you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/reaching-your-potential-is-a-disciplined-process-like-losing-weight/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [In my opinion, you have to have a vision for how you add value to others through your product or service. Why do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/in-my-opinion-you-have-to-have-a-vision-for-how-you-add-value-to/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [You never do arrive at a destination. You have to work at it and take ownership of the process. What resonates at age 25…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/you-never-do-arrive-at-a-destination-you-have-to-work-at-it-and-take/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [To help people with the struggle, I have to reveal my own struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/to-help-people-with-the-struggle-i-have-to-reveal-my-own-struggles/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [If you're the smartest person in the room, it can sometimes be hard to learn to delegate - the person to whom you're delegating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/if-you-re-the-smartest-person-in-the-room-it-can-sometimes-be-hard-to/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Rather than the word career, I prefer to discuss how you make a positive I pact on the world. This could mean raising your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/rather-than-the-word-career-i-prefer-to-discuss-how-you-make-a/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Screening out peer pressure and conventional wisdom. It is so powerful, that most of us aren't even aware of how much it is influencing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/screening-out-peer-pressure-and-conventional-wisdom-it-is-so-powerful/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Change efforts happen when a firm is out of alignment with achieving its vision. If the organization has broad buy-in on a clear vision,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/change-efforts-happen-when-a-firm-is-out-of-alignment-with-achieving/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) > [Why do leaders fail? Isolation and inability to learn. They are afraid to express doubt, admit vulnerability or seek advice from subordinates. Leaders must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/why-do-leaders-fail-isolation-and-inability-to-learn-they-are-afraid/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) [Explore all 44 Robert S. Kaplan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) ## More Paths quotes > [“this route is only one of several imaginary paths.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/this-route-is-only-one-of-several-imaginary-paths/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [“Branching paths. The turning of days and seasons and years. Life offered you love sometimes, sorrow often. If you were very fortunate, true friendship.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-gavriel-kay/branching-paths-the-turning-of-days-and-seasons-and-years-life/) [Guy Gavriel Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-gavriel-kay/) > [There are some people that are not meant for each other. They are not meant for each other, yet their paths still cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin/there-are-some-people-that-are-not-meant-for-each-other-they-are-not/) [Alvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin/) > [“...There are so many paths you can follow. So much effect from one simple cause.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-allen/there-are-so-many-paths-you-can-follow-so-much-effect-from-one-simple/) [Lee Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-allen/) > [No rebellious heart is ever at ease with paths established by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-w-powe/no-rebellious-heart-is-ever-at-ease-with-paths-established-by-others/) [B. W. Powe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-w-powe/) > [Different victims, different survivors of different crimes will choose to pursue different paths. And hopefully, over time, we can collectively transform our culture into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chesa-boudin/different-victims-different-survivors-of-different-crimes-will-choose/) [Chesa Boudin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chesa-boudin/) > [“Our destiny becomes the accumulation of the choices that we make; the choices of which paths we took in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/our-destiny-becomes-the-accumulation-of-the-choices-that-we-make-the/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [“Only the weak are put on paths without peril.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-the-weak-are-put-on-paths-without-peril/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [You meet people, you part ways, sometimes you cross paths again. Mostly, you don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/you-meet-people-you-part-ways-sometimes-you-cross-paths-again-mostly/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [Never be led in new paths by the blind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-c-hopkins/never-be-led-in-new-paths-by-the-blind/) [Claude C. Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-c-hopkins/) > [Things never pass where you think, nor along the paths you think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/things-never-pass-where-you-think-nor-along-the-paths-you-think/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [Even though Jack Kennedy and I were about the same age and lived in the same neighborhood and attended the same elementary school, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-wallace/even-though-jack-kennedy-and-i-were-about-the-same-age-and-lived-in/) [Mike Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-wallace/) > [All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. However, a path without a heart is never enjoyable. On the other hand, a path with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/all-paths-are-the-same-they-lead-nowhere-however-a-path-without-a/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [“Regardless of what path we take through space and through life, it’s important to remember that we don’t need all the answers; we just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayla-severson/regardless-of-what-path-we-take-through-space-and-through-life-it-s/) [Kayla Severson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayla-severson/) > [The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-schaar/the-future-is-not-some-place-we-are-going-to-but-one-we-are-creating/) [John Schaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-schaar/) [Browse all 344 Paths quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paths/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We are susceptible to pursuing paths that are based on someone else’s compass rather than our own.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert S. 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