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Leaders are not necessarily popular. For soldiers, the choice between popularity and effectiveness is ultimately no choice at all. Soldiers want to win; their survival depends on it. They will accept, and even take pride in, the quirks and shortcomings of a leader if they believe he can produce success.

— Stanley A. McChrystal My Share Of The Task (2013)

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Leadership

More quotes by Stanley A. McChrystal

As visible symbols, soldiers often receive praise or condemnation, and both reactions feel curiously undeserved.

My Share Of The Task (2013)

No outcome was preordained, but nothing would come easily. Few things of value do.

My Share Of The Task (2013)

There are few secrets to leadership. It is mostly just hard work.

My Share Of The Task (2013)

People are born; leaders are made.

My Share Of The Task (2013)

Service in this business is tough and often dangerous. It extracts a price for participants, and that price can be high.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Stanley A. McChrystal (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.