[alexander_busek]

In 1933, while overseeing the writing of Truppenführung, the manual for leading combined arms formations, Hammerstein-Equord made one of the most historically prescient observations on leadership. He classified them in a way only he could:

“I divide my officers into four groups. There are clever, diligent, stupid, and lazy officers. Usually two characteristics are combined. Some are clever and diligent — their place is the General Staff. The next lot are stupid and lazy — they make up 90% of every army and are suited to routine duties. Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the intellectual clarity and the composure necessary for difficult decisions. One must beware of anyone who is stupid and diligent — he must not be entrusted with any responsibility because he will always cause only mischief.”

Regards,

[alternatives?]

Thanks.

I had read or heard a general summary by somebody down the line. It can be difficult to figure out who made the observation the first.

I remember something Merkel attributed to her dad “Be more than you appear to be.” I had remembered reading it being attributed to someone much older.