“Many leaders are tempted to lead like a chess master, striving to cont...” — Stanley A. McChrystal Quote

“Many leaders are tempted to lead like a chess master, striving to control every move, when they should be leading like gardeners, creating and maintaining a viable ecosystem in which the organization operates.”

“What I'm trying to do is teach people how to actually get individuals in organizations to do the kinds of things to make a difference. It starts with not just studying the mechanics but really understanding how people operate.”

“I think every war certainly wears on national will and national patience, particularly a counterinsurgency.”

“Spending most of my time on chess there is not much else I can be much good at but I enjoy spending time with my wife, parents, siblings and friends, listening to music, some sports, the Web and well... the usual stuff.”

“I play chess with the computer when I feel dull in my mind and after two games - 'out or win', I feel sharp again.”

“In chess, we have styles - like in any other field. There are also fashions in the kinds of systems that people play. So I'm trying to know my opponent as much as possible.”