"All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership"
- John Kenneth Galbraith
About this Quote
John Kenneth Galbraith's quote speaks to the importance of management in times of difficulty. He suggests that great leaders have the courage to face the stress and anxieties of their individuals head-on. This is the essence of leadership, according to Galbraith. He suggests that a leader must want to confront the issues of their time, no matter how tough or unpleasant it might be. This is the only method to really lead and make a difference. It is insufficient to merely be a token or a figure of authority; a leader needs to want to take on the anxieties of their individuals and work to discover services. This is the only method to truly lead and make an enduring impact.