Jennifer Granholm Quotes

I wish I was harder; I wish I didn't care so much about being the nice girl all the time because a lot of the time people can take kindness for weakness, so I wish I had a little bit more 'oomph' in me.

I don't worry about people misinterpreting my kindness for weakness.

I don't apologize to people who try to intimidate.

Never apologize, mister. It's a sign of weakness.

I'm so tough and so bad, I can be humble and lift another guy up.

One of the criticisms I've faced over the years is that I'm not aggressive enough or assertive enough, or maybe somehow, because I'm empathetic, it means I'm weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.

If someone underestimates you because you are warm and approachable, then you have an advantage over them.

I'm one of those women who's not to be messed with. I'm very opinionated and boisterous at times. I'm also kind and humble. I know when to fold and when to hold, and that's important. If my edge scares you, then you have a choice to remove yourself.

I don't want people mistreating me. I found out when you're vulnerable and your heart's open, then people step on you. You're really stupid for letting that happen. And the only way to counteract that is to be like Wolfman Jack. Because if you do nice, kind things for people, then how are they going to mess you over?

You cannot let people come up in your face and stop you.

I'm careful with my heart. I don't take crap from no one these days. I put my foot down. Being a woman, you deserve heaven and earth.

As women, we need to remember: don't be a doormat!

Being nice doesn't necessarily mean you're weak. You can be nice and be strong at the same time. That's a character trait that we need more in Washington.

You can have a certain arrogance, and I think that's fine, but what you should never lose is the respect for the others.

It is indeed hard for the strong to be just to the weak, but acting justly always has its rewards.

I am the least intimidating person. I think I would have done better in my career if I were a little more intimidating. Even the maid who comes to work for me once a week has found out that she can just trample over me... I'm a Cancer! We are not ferocious people.

None of them going to treat me bad, honey, I'm too strict for that.

If we show ourselves as weak, we lose.... In the end, we want to lead the Muslim world. We can only do that with our heads held high.

It is my contention that most people are not mugged every day, that most people in this world do not encounter violence every day. I think we prepare people for violence, and I think it just as important that we prepare people for the definition of being gentle. ... for so many years gentle has been equated with weakness but it requires more strength to be gentle. So it's the every day encounters of life that I think we prepare children for and prepare them to be good to other people and to consider other people.

I am very chill and comfortable in my own skin, and because of this, I believe it is exactly what is needed when you are with a strong woman. My wife is no shrinking violet in her own right. As a result, you have to know when to push, when to pull, when to let it go, and when to stand firm.

That was Dad. Don't take any dirt from anybody.

If a boy messes up, you walk away. If a boy isn't treating you right, you walk away. It sounds simpler than it is, but you can't allow yourself to be disrespected. You have to be a strong girl.

A fighter, a real strong fighter, should always look dignified and calm, and I believe that any expression of aggression is an expression of weakness. A strong person will not be nervous and will not express aggression towards his opponent. He will be confident in his abilities and his training; then he will face the fight calm and balanced.

My strength is my humility. When you are humble, people like you.

I do work really hard to be nice to people. Well, actually, I think it doesn't take much effort to be nice to people, so why shouldn't we all be nice to each other? But I do appreciate very much a woman who is in a position of power who is unapologetic about her position and her belief in her own abilities.