22 Quotes by Stanley McChrystal

Attempts to control complex systems … tend to be pointless at best or destructive at worst.

As the demands of the positions differed, and as I grew in age and experience, I found that I had changed as a leader. I learned to ask myself two questions: First, what must the organization I command do and be? And second, how can I best command to achieve that?

Efficiency remains important, but the ability to adapt to complexity and continual change has become an imperative.

Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right thing.

It Takes a Network to Defeat a Network.” With that, we took the first step toward an entirely new conversation.

Setting oneself on a predetermined course in unknown waters is the perfect way to sail straight into an iceberg.

The temptation to lead as a chess master, controlling each move of the organization, must give way to an approach as a gardener, enabling rather than directing. A gardening approach to leadership is anything but passive. The leader acts as an “Eyes-On, Hands-Off” enabler who creates and maintains an ecosystem in which the organization operates.

Purpose affirms trust, trust affirms purpose, and together they forge individuals into a working team.

Education is resilient, training is robust.