Strong people have strong weaknesses is one of my favorite quotes. I think our mystery man was making the point that you have to take the bad to get the good. If you look for an executive with little bad they will have little good too. That's a recipe for mediocrity at best and incompetence at worst. Perhaps something to think about with our president elect.
Also, I noticed that you and the Quote Investigator had a a back-and-forth about this quote, and he wrote a piece on it. The oxymoronic phrase "strong weakness", he pointed out, predates the mystery man by several decades.
Another practical and valuable post, Mardy. Loved your story about the traffic stop. I've taught cops in criminal justice training and was advised when stopped to never act tough and say, "What's the problem?" Instead calmly say, "Officer, how can I help your?" Also if you're stopped by a patrol car, don't argue, admit your mistake, act humble. The patrol officer's job is to lecture you. However, if you are pulled over by a motorcycle cop, to quote an officer, "You're screwed." His job is to write tickets. Many thanks for your honest and insightful weekly posts as well as your many enlightening books.
In advising his clients where to place their efforts to improve, Dan Sullivan, The Strategic Coach, suggests that they concentrate on improving their strengths. If your strengths are particularly strong, then your weaknesses will pale in comparison. On the other hand, if you concentrate on improving your weaknesses, all that you will end up with are Strong Weaknesses!
You remind me of the phrase "absent-minded professor." I'm going to ask my son what my strongest weakness is. I'm pretty sure he'll tell me. Maybe it's vulnerability. I remember when he was a child and said he could always fool mom! And look at the messes I've gotten myself into by trusting, not questioning. Otoh, maybe it's just stupidity.
Yes, that phrase has been used to describe me since--believe it or not--I was ten years old! Let me know what your son says. It sounds more like trusting-to-the-point-of-gullibility to me.
I consider it axiomatic in politics that a candidate's greatest strength is a greatest weakness. It is the nature of a brand. By being Kellogg's Corn Flakes it is NOT Raison Bran. I mention your blog in an end-note today, recommending this newsletter and saying that it interesting and insightful and not about politics. Of course, by doing so, I thereby turned off people looking for UNinteresting and UNinsightful political blogs. You win some, you lose some. That is the nature of strong weaknesses. Peter Sage, in Medford, Oregon
Thank you for keeping my brain sharp and always stimulating my thought processes. By including great quotes and witticisms, you not only increase my range of things to ponder, but also the ability to argue successfully in conversation. A well placed or timed quote is often the key to winning. I have used the contents of OXYMORONICA more than once!
Thanks for your heartwarming words, Stu. I appreciate your longstanding interest in my efforts. I agree that there are few things more satisfying than recalling the perfect quote at the appropriate time.
Thanks, Barbara. I wish it were true I was taking a break, though, I'll be working hard on my upcoming compilation of "The Best Opening Lines of 2024"!
Hi Mardy readers: On the topic of oxymorons / paradoxical phrases, I'd add the term "peaceful warrior," which, to anyone new to the term, might appear to be a contradiction, but if one treats the 'peaceful' part as a qualifier to 'warrior,' it makes more sense — especially for those old-timers who remember the character (and Shaolin monk) played by David Carradine in the classic old "Kung Fu" TV series, originated by Ed Spielman. In addition, Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi referred to himself as a "soldier of peace."
Thanks, Dan. You are right, that is a powerful oxymoron. And for you other Subscribers, Dan is the author of many books exploring that theme, including "Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior" (1990). For more, see his website: https://www.peacefulwarrior.com
And I can easily name a strong example: People with really weak characters cause an immense amount of suffering in the world. They destroy whole civilizations. — Bessie Head
Excellent again, Mardy. You helped me to both self-reflect and think back to the hundreds of CEOs and key executives I had the privilege of coaching while chairing. BTW, you remain one of my favorite speakers; you had a great ability to have participants reflect on their life and work in a positive and constructive manner.
Thanks, my friend, I appreciate your kind words. Although our roles were different, we both benefited greatly from our association with TEC/Vistage. Those were the days, weren't they?
Your account of your traffic stop reminded me of a topic I've wanted to suggest for a while: thanking people -- especially strangers -- who have left a mark on your life, as did the police officer you encountered. In my own life, I wish I had sent a letter of thanks to author A.B. Guthrie jr. My father's gift of Guthrie's novel "The Big Sky" in my mid-20s showed that my dad knew me far better than I had ever believed before. I thought the author deserved thanks too for a gift that was layers deep. Another of the un-thanked was someone my wife and I met on our honeymoon in northern New Mexico we refer to simply as "Cowboy" to this day. We shared a table with him in a crowded restaurant table in Rancho de Chimayo. A native and lifelong resident of the area, he told of us driving cattle to pasture with his grandfather on an open range when a boy, then drew a map of "his New Mexico" on a napkin. It became our guide, making our honeymoon especially memorable. And, of course, there are others. Who has touched you or your readers personally that you would thank, given the chance?
Thanks for the very thoughtful suggestion, Joel. Your examples were wonderful. The same thought has occurred to me a bunch of times over the years, under the heading "People I'd Like to Thank Again." Generally, I was unable to track people down, but in a couple of cases, I did, and they were flabbergasted. One guy even said, "You didn't make my day, you made my year!"
It appears that America’s strongest weakness is its inability to recognize lies when it’s being sold to them, “alternate facts” when it’s presented as the new reality, and authoritarianism as the new democracy.
Yes, you make an excellent point, Ivan. Thanks for sharing it. It appears that, for many of our brothers and sisters, "critical thinking" has been replaced by unquestioning acceptance of wild, unsubstantiated, and clearly false claims.
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoy your posts.
I may be wrong but I feel some of the recent quote themes could be stretched to appear to have political implications, which is of course your right. But I wondered if we could also get some themes interspersed that imply the world will be okay and how to positively approach a happier life, for example the themes of gratitude and compassion, lest we become morbid and defeatist.
Anyway just a word to the wise from a fan. Whatever you decide I'll still be here each week cheering you on! So thanks again!
Thanks for your kind words, Ben. There was no political motivation behind those recent themes, but I take your point that some had a negative edge. I appreciate your support over the years, and will make a conscious effort to select future themes that celebrate some of life's more uplifting themes.
(Ava Gardner’s “I am deeply superficial.”) Being a Londoner I am reminded that she lived for 22 years at 34 Ennismore Gardens, Chelsea, an affluent part of West London near the river from 1968 until her death in 1990. The English Heritage Association provided a blue plaque for the wall of her apartment to note that she had lived there. Most Londoners didn't know she was there as she was a bit of a recluse just with a housekeeper and her dog, but my grandfather who drove a newspaper van delivering papers to shops was in the know, and so it became family knowledge!
Strong people have strong weaknesses is one of my favorite quotes. I think our mystery man was making the point that you have to take the bad to get the good. If you look for an executive with little bad they will have little good too. That's a recipe for mediocrity at best and incompetence at worst. Perhaps something to think about with our president elect.
Also, I noticed that you and the Quote Investigator had a a back-and-forth about this quote, and he wrote a piece on it. The oxymoronic phrase "strong weakness", he pointed out, predates the mystery man by several decades.
Thanks for weighing in, John. Yes, Garson and I did indeed have a conversation about the quote. He is an incredible resource.
Another practical and valuable post, Mardy. Loved your story about the traffic stop. I've taught cops in criminal justice training and was advised when stopped to never act tough and say, "What's the problem?" Instead calmly say, "Officer, how can I help your?" Also if you're stopped by a patrol car, don't argue, admit your mistake, act humble. The patrol officer's job is to lecture you. However, if you are pulled over by a motorcycle cop, to quote an officer, "You're screwed." His job is to write tickets. Many thanks for your honest and insightful weekly posts as well as your many enlightening books.
Thanks for your kind words, Michael. I enjoyed your reflections about cops and traffic stops. It certainly rings true for me.
In advising his clients where to place their efforts to improve, Dan Sullivan, The Strategic Coach, suggests that they concentrate on improving their strengths. If your strengths are particularly strong, then your weaknesses will pale in comparison. On the other hand, if you concentrate on improving your weaknesses, all that you will end up with are Strong Weaknesses!
Thanks, Nick. That makes a lot of sense to me as well.
You remind me of the phrase "absent-minded professor." I'm going to ask my son what my strongest weakness is. I'm pretty sure he'll tell me. Maybe it's vulnerability. I remember when he was a child and said he could always fool mom! And look at the messes I've gotten myself into by trusting, not questioning. Otoh, maybe it's just stupidity.
Yes, that phrase has been used to describe me since--believe it or not--I was ten years old! Let me know what your son says. It sounds more like trusting-to-the-point-of-gullibility to me.
Oh - my old age is really showing this morning. I DID mean "gullibility" not vulnerability! Adam always said I'm too gullible! Sorry 'bout dat.
Not a problem. I was having difficulty understanding how "vulnerability" applied!
I consider it axiomatic in politics that a candidate's greatest strength is a greatest weakness. It is the nature of a brand. By being Kellogg's Corn Flakes it is NOT Raison Bran. I mention your blog in an end-note today, recommending this newsletter and saying that it interesting and insightful and not about politics. Of course, by doing so, I thereby turned off people looking for UNinteresting and UNinsightful political blogs. You win some, you lose some. That is the nature of strong weaknesses. Peter Sage, in Medford, Oregon
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Peter. And thanks for the plug. I can use all the help I can get in "spreading the word"!
Thank you for keeping my brain sharp and always stimulating my thought processes. By including great quotes and witticisms, you not only increase my range of things to ponder, but also the ability to argue successfully in conversation. A well placed or timed quote is often the key to winning. I have used the contents of OXYMORONICA more than once!
Thanks for your heartwarming words, Stu. I appreciate your longstanding interest in my efforts. I agree that there are few things more satisfying than recalling the perfect quote at the appropriate time.
Particularly great quotes this week! Thank you!
Wonderful you are taking a well deserved break!
Thanks, Barbara. I wish it were true I was taking a break, though, I'll be working hard on my upcoming compilation of "The Best Opening Lines of 2024"!
Hi Mardy readers: On the topic of oxymorons / paradoxical phrases, I'd add the term "peaceful warrior," which, to anyone new to the term, might appear to be a contradiction, but if one treats the 'peaceful' part as a qualifier to 'warrior,' it makes more sense — especially for those old-timers who remember the character (and Shaolin monk) played by David Carradine in the classic old "Kung Fu" TV series, originated by Ed Spielman. In addition, Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi referred to himself as a "soldier of peace."
Thanks, Dan. You are right, that is a powerful oxymoron. And for you other Subscribers, Dan is the author of many books exploring that theme, including "Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior" (1990). For more, see his website: https://www.peacefulwarrior.com
And I can easily name a strong example: People with really weak characters cause an immense amount of suffering in the world. They destroy whole civilizations. — Bessie Head
Thanks, David. That is a great example.
Another amazing and thought provoking entry, Mardy. Cheers and Happy Holidays.
Thanks so much, Bob. It's always nice to hear from you. Hope the Holidays are great for you as well.
Excellent again, Mardy. You helped me to both self-reflect and think back to the hundreds of CEOs and key executives I had the privilege of coaching while chairing. BTW, you remain one of my favorite speakers; you had a great ability to have participants reflect on their life and work in a positive and constructive manner.
Thanks, my friend, I appreciate your kind words. Although our roles were different, we both benefited greatly from our association with TEC/Vistage. Those were the days, weren't they?
Your account of your traffic stop reminded me of a topic I've wanted to suggest for a while: thanking people -- especially strangers -- who have left a mark on your life, as did the police officer you encountered. In my own life, I wish I had sent a letter of thanks to author A.B. Guthrie jr. My father's gift of Guthrie's novel "The Big Sky" in my mid-20s showed that my dad knew me far better than I had ever believed before. I thought the author deserved thanks too for a gift that was layers deep. Another of the un-thanked was someone my wife and I met on our honeymoon in northern New Mexico we refer to simply as "Cowboy" to this day. We shared a table with him in a crowded restaurant table in Rancho de Chimayo. A native and lifelong resident of the area, he told of us driving cattle to pasture with his grandfather on an open range when a boy, then drew a map of "his New Mexico" on a napkin. It became our guide, making our honeymoon especially memorable. And, of course, there are others. Who has touched you or your readers personally that you would thank, given the chance?
Thanks for the very thoughtful suggestion, Joel. Your examples were wonderful. The same thought has occurred to me a bunch of times over the years, under the heading "People I'd Like to Thank Again." Generally, I was unable to track people down, but in a couple of cases, I did, and they were flabbergasted. One guy even said, "You didn't make my day, you made my year!"
It appears that America’s strongest weakness is its inability to recognize lies when it’s being sold to them, “alternate facts” when it’s presented as the new reality, and authoritarianism as the new democracy.
Yes, you make an excellent point, Ivan. Thanks for sharing it. It appears that, for many of our brothers and sisters, "critical thinking" has been replaced by unquestioning acceptance of wild, unsubstantiated, and clearly false claims.
Hi Mardy,
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoy your posts.
I may be wrong but I feel some of the recent quote themes could be stretched to appear to have political implications, which is of course your right. But I wondered if we could also get some themes interspersed that imply the world will be okay and how to positively approach a happier life, for example the themes of gratitude and compassion, lest we become morbid and defeatist.
Anyway just a word to the wise from a fan. Whatever you decide I'll still be here each week cheering you on! So thanks again!
Thanks for your kind words, Ben. There was no political motivation behind those recent themes, but I take your point that some had a negative edge. I appreciate your support over the years, and will make a conscious effort to select future themes that celebrate some of life's more uplifting themes.
(Ava Gardner’s “I am deeply superficial.”) Being a Londoner I am reminded that she lived for 22 years at 34 Ennismore Gardens, Chelsea, an affluent part of West London near the river from 1968 until her death in 1990. The English Heritage Association provided a blue plaque for the wall of her apartment to note that she had lived there. Most Londoners didn't know she was there as she was a bit of a recluse just with a housekeeper and her dog, but my grandfather who drove a newspaper van delivering papers to shops was in the know, and so it became family knowledge!
The wall plaque can be seen on her Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ava_Gardner
Thanks for passing along that little-known piece of modern history, Christine. Did your grandfather ever get a view of her?
No, apparently she hardly went out.
Thanks. I'd heard she was a total recluse.