Martha Nussbaum Quotes

We don't get offered roles because of who we are but because of what we delivered in the past.

Politics is a pure meritocracy. That's why Gordon Brown's cabinet had two brothers and a married couple in it. They just happened to be the best people around.

We've done a lot of research on the characteristics of our teachers who are the most successful. The most predictive trait is still past demonstrated achievement, and all selection research basically points to that.

No person connected with me by blood or marriage will be appointed to office.

You want to feel like people are hiring you because they want to work with you, not because of who your parents are.

… open, competitive examinations for testing the fitness of applicants for the public service now classified or to be classified hereunder. Such examinations shall be practical in their character, and so far as may be shall relate to those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity and fitness of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the service into which they seek to be appointed.

It is also absolutely necessary that the examinations should be competitive, and the appointments given to those who are most successful. A mere pass examination never, in the long run, does more than exclude absolute dunces.

There should be no ‘jobs for the boys’. We ought to be crucified if we … select our constables from the servants of our parliamentary friends.

We will give importance to performance while choosing officials.

There is a belief that getting any particular job may depend on who has just had five consecutive victories. If that's the way it is, I've got a healthy attitude.

At the bare minimum, you need to be in your position for a year before you ask for a raise or title change.

I fire very little because I try to be very careful when I select people. If you know how to select, you don't fire often.

You might get one job for having a famous parent, but you won't get your second unless you're good.

I've always said that I didn't want to be given a job because I was a female, I wanted it because I was the most well-qualified person for the job. And making certain that companies are going to move forward in that vein, that is what women want.

Few great men would have got past personnel.

To have full and multiple criteria is the best way to decide who is best prepared to be on that Olympic team.

No duty the Executive had to perform was so trying as to put the right man in the right place.

People who reach the top of the tree are only those who haven't got the qualifications to detain them at the bottom.

I've always been, with acting, very hesitant to get myself into situations where I would be accused of nepotism.

I've done a lot of pilots. A lot of shows. You're young and you do a job just because you know someone gave you a job.

Too often, people get jobs based on who they know - not what they know.

When it comes to work, there is a fear factor around meritocracy. People are afraid of being openly judged. However, when you know what you are being measured against, it's empowering.

I favor putting the responsibility for the dispensing of patronage squarely on the organizations [parties]. Let the organizations be held strictly accountable for the endorsements. After the appointment is made the appointee ought to fit the job, so that the appointing power can rest assured that the work entrusted to him will be done right.

If nobody is to be appointed because he is your friend or my friend, then nobody should be appointed because he is any other man's friend. The President himself should exercise the same self denial as other officials.

You must have a rationale for your candidacy.