"Any commander who fails to exceed his authority is not of much use to his subordinates"

This quote by Arleigh Burke talks to the value of a commander having the confidence and nerve to surpass their authority when necessary. Burke is recommending that a leader who is unwilling to take risks and push the limits of their authority is not of much use to their subordinates. He is indicating that a commander must be willing to take threats and make choices that may not constantly be popular in order to succeed. Burke is likewise suggesting that a leader should be willing to take duty for their decisions and be responsible for their actions. By exceeding their authority, a leader can demonstrate their management capabilities and influence their subordinates to do the very same. Eventually, Burke is stressing the significance of a commander having the guts to exceed their authority in order to be an effective leader.