Original artwork, not a still
You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Eisenhower, a five-star general, defines leadership as the opposite of force. The line is quoted in management books and political speeches as a soldier's case against bullying, and the clean 'assault, not leadership' punchline travels better than the original rambling passage. Treat it as Eisenhower as reported by a critical insider, not a verified speech.
Context reviewed
In context
May contain spoilersShow the scene
The line is known from Emmet John Hughes's 1963 memoir The Ordeal of Power, a speechwriter's critical account of the Eisenhower years, and not from any recorded speech. Hughes reports Eisenhower insisting that he knew something about leadership from working with quarrelling nations. Hitting people over the head, he says, is something any fool can do and is usually called assault, not leadership. Leadership is persuasion, conciliation, education and patience. No date or setting is given in the sources checked.
Sources (1)
- Barry Popik: 'You do not lead by hitting people over the head'Blog post, 24 May 2013Reference checked
Context reviewed
