John Roberts Quotes

It's good to have a leader, otherwise we argue too much.

I worked with a group of people who argued day and night - professors, officials, the Minister of Finance - but there were decisions that I had to make.

Nine times out of ten your two smartest policy advisors disagree.

The problem with communicating without a coordinator is that everyone has to read everyone else's mind.

Sometimes, a player and a coach can have a different opinion. In the end, the best interest of the end, the best interest of the club has to be kept in mind.

There's always been conflict, inherent conflict between players and coaches.

Most bands don't work out. A small unit democracy is very, very difficult.

Ultimately, running a band is about the relationships you have with people.

Look, not everybody plays well with each other on the playground. I get that, that's politics.

A boardroom is a collection of individuals, and individuals have varying motives, egos, agendas and qualifications. Sometimes the dynamics can go off track.

The only thing we don't do together is get in front of an actor and show any indecision at all about what we think. We don't always agree, so we meet privately, then one or the other will approach the actor.

Consensus building doesn't necessarily fit with my experience.

You can have the best people in the business, but if they're not collaborating - and they're butting heads - then it's all going to go south.

You can't serve on every committee. But you can know what happened, what the debate was, who said what.

Between you and me, I think that may be one of the things that will help with the collaboration, because there are things Eric thinks I'm moving too quickly on, and there are things I think he's dragging out. When it gets to the editor they can arbitrate.

Even within the band, if I cannot manage to persuade the members of what I see to be the next course of action, how do you expect the group to deal with the expectations of thousands of people. It is not possible.

I think that in any group activity - whether it be business, sports, or family - there has to be leadership or it won't be successful.

If three come together let them pick a leader.

It's difficult working with someone who is not a team player.

Many of us are inspired and are eager to get things done. But once too many people are involved, life becomes complicated. We are all social beings, so we have an innate urge to incorporate everyone's thoughts.

For running a country, team work is important, and the person at the helm has to enjoy teamwork.

A big part of the job of being a showrunner is, in my way of thinking, being a good communicator because there's really no other way to have hope for getting what you want, at the end of the day.

You're in a band with someone, it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to agree with everything they think or do.

When we come into the NSC, everybody has different opinions. At the end of the day, we present the president with all the facts. We let him make the decision. And we all, as a team, go out and support that decision.

Good executives, like all good leaders, must expect opposition when making decisions or when making or enforcing the law. But executives must engage those that disagree with them.