"The third lesson and tip actually comes from two of my favorite political philosophers: Mao Tse-tung and Mother Theresa - not often coupled with each other, but the two people I turn to most to basically deliver a simple point which is 'you're going to make choices; you're going to challenge; you're going to say why not; you're going to figure out how to do things that have never been done before"

Anita Dunn’s reference to both Mao Tse-tung and Mother Theresa as “favorite political philosophers” is intentionally striking. These two figures represent radically divergent approaches to social change and moral action. Mao, a revolutionary communist leader, is emblematic of radical, even violent transformation, emphasizing collective action to overturn entrenched hierarchies. Mother Theresa, by contrast, is celebrated for her compassionate, hands-on service to the poor and her advocacy for incremental change through small, often individual, acts of kindness. By invoking both, Dunn underscores the vast spectrum of methods and philosophies that can inspire decision-making and leadership.

Her core message is about agency and courage in the face of uncharted territory. Decisions of consequence, whether on the scale of a political movement or through the quiet persistence of daily good works, require both the willingness to question the status quo and the resolve to pursue new paths. “You’re going to make choices; you’re going to challenge; you’re going to say why not; you’re going to figure out how to do things that have never been done before,” encapsulates the mindset of transformative leadership. It involves not just ambition or vision, but a practical tenacity to experiment and innovate where there are no clear precedents to follow.

The juxtaposition of Mao and Mother Theresa also challenges the listener to see value in both grand, systemic change and in personal, moral commitment. Progress may come from questioning deeply embedded social structures or simply from caring enough to act in difficult circumstances. Courage, Dunn implies, is not merely a matter of grand gestures; it’s often found in the accumulation of everyday acts driven by the question “why not?”

Ultimately, the reference to these two unlikely companions serves to expand the listener’s conception of what is possible. Inspiration is not confined to a single ideology or method; rather, it can and should draw from disparate sources, united by the willingness to make bold choices and forge new solutions.