"Leadership is, among other things, the ability to inflict pain and get away with it - short-term pain for long-term gain"

This quote by George Will speaks with the concept that management is not only about making decisions that benefit the long-lasting, however likewise about making difficult choices that may trigger short-term pain. Leaders must want to make decisions that may not be popular in the short-term, but will eventually benefit the organization in the long-term. This needs a particular level of courage and strength, as well as the ability to take responsibility for the choices made. Leaders must have the ability to accept criticism and push through the short-term discomfort in order to accomplish the long-term gain. This quote highlights the value of making challenging decisions and the nerve it takes to do so.