“Are you laboring under the impression that I read these memoranda of yours? I can’t even lift them.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
Quote
“Are you laboring under the impression that I read these memoranda of yours? I can’t even lift them.”
Explanation
This quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt is a humorous and self-deprecating remark about the overwhelming nature of the administrative workload that comes with being the President. Roosevelt is playfully acknowledging that the sheer volume of paperwork, memoranda, and briefings that cross a president’s desk is often unmanageable, to the point where it becomes physically burdensome. His comment highlights the disconnection between the volume of information presented to leaders and their ability to process or even engage with it all. The remark also sheds light on the practical realities of governance, where leaders rely on their teams of advisors and staff to filter and prioritize information, as they cannot possibly read every document or review every detail themselves.
Roosevelt’s words also reflect his reliance on others to manage the details of governance. As president, he had a large staff and a group of trusted advisors who helped him navigate the complex issues of the day. This quote humorously illustrates the importance of delegation and trust in a leadership role. Roosevelt, recognizing the limits of his time and energy, relied on the expertise of his team to sift through the complexities of policy, leaving him to focus on broader strategic decisions.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the nature of high-level leadership in any large organization, where decision-makers often have to rely on delegation, communication, and trusted teams to manage the overwhelming flow of information. Whether in government, business, or any other field, leaders often face the challenge of managing information overload and making decisions based on the synthesis and recommendations of others. Roosevelt’s remark serves as a reminder of the practical limits of leadership and the necessity of effective teamwork and delegation to manage complex responsibilities.
