CGE BlogQuote of the Day
August 8, 2013

Quote of the Day – August 8th

“I will make mistakes, but I hope it will be said of me when I give up the highest honour that you can confer on any man, as was said of another in public service: ‘He wasn’t always right; sometimes he was on the wrong side, but never on the side of wrong.’ That is my dedication; that is my humble declaration.”

Prime Minister John George Diefenbaker, 1955

Do you have a favourite quote you’d like to share?

About this author

Avatar

CGE Blog

0 comments

There are no comments for this post yet.

Be the first to comment. Click here.

CGE Blog
 
MindLab’s Culture Shift
On January 12, 2016
By: Patrice Dutil The MindLab meets every expectation you might have...
 
Peer-2-Peer Knowledge Network for Public Innovators: Learning and Development Crowd-Resourcing Program Proposal
On April 15, 2015
In this month’s blog, I would like to test out an...
 
None of Us Have it All Together
On April 13, 2015
Ducks look like they have it All Together. Above the water,...
 
Impossible Dreams
On March 30, 2015
I blogged in November 2012 about seeing Dr. Bernard Meyerson, VP Global Innovation, IBM, at...
 
Text Messages and Government Records
On March 24, 2015
Today’s newspapers are once again reading that bureaucrats, this time in...
 
Leader as Hero: The Power of Commitment
On March 19, 2015
When times get tough, we turn to leaders for courage. Yet...
 
Lessons from the Field: Intrapreneurship in Action series
On March 4, 2015
In this month’s blog, I’m featuring Dylan Sherlock, Policy Analyst for...
 
A Blank Page
On February 5, 2015
A cryptic title, which may lead you to think this blog...
 
Defining Your Creativity
On January 27, 2015
In starting the new year, my thoughts go to goals and...
 
Lessons from the Field: Intrapreneurship in Action
On January 22, 2015
In this month’s blog, I’m featuring Bette-Jo Hughes, Associate Deputy Minister...
 
Markets Are Conversations
On January 20, 2015
Before I dive into the crux that is the title of...
 
Open Government is Trending
On January 9, 2015
I know I’m Civic Engagement’s equivalent to being a “Homer” …no,...
 
Corporate Activism
On December 29, 2014
I had a fascinating month of reading. I am smack dab...
 
The Intrapreneurial Spirit
On December 23, 2014
I write this blog because I have an unwavering belief in...
 
The Diversity of… Well… Diversity
On December 10, 2014
“Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And...
 
Inspiring Versus Engaging
On December 8, 2014
We all love the feeling of being inspired. But what does...
 
Looking Forward to Looking Beyond
On December 1, 2014
Looking beyond is a practice I try to cultivate daily. I...
 
Open Government Statues
On November 27, 2014
I’m new to Ottawa, and as such, I decided to explore...
 
Being an Employer of Choice
On November 23, 2014
“So our message to students and graduates is, we need you...
 
How Changemakers Get Things Done in Government: Intrapreneurship in Action
On November 20, 2014
In this month’s blog, I’m featuring Linda Beltrano, Executive Director of...
 
Progress Isn’t Finite
On November 17, 2014
My biggest beef about most people is how they keep telling...
 
Story Behind the Open Government Tour mandala
On November 10, 2014
A number of people have reached out to me asking how...
 
Looking Forward to Looking Back
On November 3, 2014
It is just past mid-year review time. We sit with our...
 
A Citizen’s Perspective of GTEC
On November 2, 2014
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny8uUVBVzFo]  Last week I attended the 2014 Government Technology Exhibition & Conference (GTEC) for the third time...
 
Intrapreneurs: How System-Changers Think, Design and Act
On October 31, 2014
In•tra•pre•neur•ship (n) 1. Successful adaptation of entrepreneurial attitudes and strategies inside...
 
Government Cloud Strategy
On October 21, 2014
In February 2011, the U.S. Federal Cloud Computing Strategy (Cloud First...
 
On the Road: Open Government Part 4
On October 17, 2014
Click here for Part 3 of 4 Click here for Part 2 of 4 Click here for Part 1 of 4 The Open Government Tour 2014 is officially in the books. I...
 
On the Road: Open Government Part 3
On October 16, 2014
Click here for Part 2 of 4 Click here for Part 1 of 4 Related posts: Advancing the state of open government When data meets regulatory uncertainty The art of the possible: Open government...
 
On the Road: Open Government Part 2
On October 15, 2014
Click here for Part 1 of 4 Don’t be the big @$$hole There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing...
 
On the Road: Learning How to Bring About Open Government
On October 14, 2014
The Open Government Tour 2014 is officially in the books. I...
 
There is no such thing as resistance to change!
On October 10, 2014
I was waiting in line to have a smoked meat sandwich...
 
Beware the Bias!
On October 8, 2014
Measuring employee performance is hard. It’s one of the most difficult...
 
Governance, risk management and decisions
On September 29, 2014
I had a busy month reading about governance, risk management and...
 
Failing to Understand
On September 22, 2014
The real problem is not the lack of alternatives, but a...
 
Lessons from the field: An interview with Andrew Treusch, Part 2
On September 19, 2014
This month’s blog features Andrew Treusch, Commissioner of Revenue and Chief...
 
Lessons from the Field: How Changemakers Get Things Done in Government
On September 17, 2014
“We have a temptation as human beings to think everyone else...
 
Pinning Waves Upon the Sand
On September 11, 2014
I have written previously about how metrics are crucial in the world of performance management . Used well, they create a...
 
Unprepared for the future shocks of climate change
On September 8, 2014
Back in the 1960s, it looked as if computers might just...
 
BYOD – Trending or Hitting a Wall?
On September 3, 2014
For the past two-three years, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has...
 
Interchangeable Media
On August 26, 2014
As you are all probably aware, we have a new Clerk...
 
Lessons from the Field: How Changemakers Get Things Done in Government
On August 22, 2014
This month, I shine the innovation spotlight on Greg Goodwin, an...
 
So, what do you do?
On August 19, 2014
New Acquaintance: “Hi, I’m Bob. Pleased to meet you. What do...
 
A Renewed Approach to Civic Engagement
On August 12, 2014
On July 2nd, Richard Pietro packed up his things and set...
 
In Defence of Direct Negotiation
On August 8, 2014
From time to time, the popular media jump on examples of...
 
Maintaining perspective
On July 30, 2014
If you work in government or in a large corporation, you...
 
Lessons from the Field: How Changemakers Get Things Done in Government
On July 23, 2014
“To be an effective public servant, the most important skills to...
 
Metrics: A Cautionary Tale
On July 15, 2014
“I often say that when you can measure what you are...
 
Doing less, but better
On July 10, 2014
I’ve been giving 110 percent for as long as I can...
 
Good Enough, Is
On June 30, 2014
I have been working with government now for about 15 years...
 
Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear, Pt. 3
On June 25, 2014
Taking a look this week at the vision from Blueprint for Renewing Government Services Using Information Technology , 1994...
 
Fellowship of the Ring: Government and civil society
On June 21, 2014
Commitment to social justice can erode in times of austerity, change,...
 
Tapping into Our Collective Intelligence
On June 18, 2014
Wanted: Government Intrapreneurs If you’re interested in exploring our collective capacity as collaborative leaders...
 
Proudly Serving Canadians
On June 13, 2014
As next week marks National Public Service Week (NPSW), I have...
 
Shifting Seasons: Personal, Professional and Organizational
On June 12, 2014
Remember New Year’s Day? It was a little over five months...
 
Maintaining Perspective
On May 28, 2014
Disclaimer: Note that while I work as a public servant, this...
 
Lessons From the Field: How Changemakers Get Things Done
On May 23, 2014
Maria David-Evans: Part III This is the final post in a...
 
Lessons From the Field: How Changemakers Get Things Done
On May 22, 2014
Maria David-Evans: Part II This is a continuation of yesterday’s post , in...
 
Lessons From the Field: How Changemakers Get Things Done
On May 21, 2014
Maria David-Evans: Part I In this month’s blog, I’m featuring Maria...
 
Lessons From Great Places to Work
On May 14, 2014
Awards and competition are ways to highlight the qualities that make...
 
Public Wi-Fi: A Second Wave
On May 13, 2014
Public Wi-Fi First Wave: Big Plans, Few Successes In about 2004,...
 
Taking Care of Ourselves First
On May 7, 2014
This week marks “Mental Health Week” – an annual national event...
 
How Performance Management Works
On April 30, 2014
“The first change we are making is to ensure that every...
 
Quitting Something New
On April 30, 2014
Disclaimer: Note that while I work as a public servant, this...
 
Intrapreneurship in Action
On April 23, 2014
I’m a big fan of promoting an intrapreneurial culture in the...
 
There is no They – only You and We
On April 8, 2014
A few months back, I phoned Service Canada at their handy...
 
On Goals and Systems
On March 31, 2014
Disclaimer: Note that while I work as a public servant, this...
 
What If?
On March 20, 2014
“Every organisation needs one core competence: innovation.” – Peter Drucker What...
 
Hacking the CODE and Breaking Records
On March 18, 2014
CODE – the Canadian Open Data Experience Hackathon – took place February 28th to March...
 
E-Voting: Is it time?
On March 18, 2014
Given upcoming municipal elections in some provinces and the current debate...
 
Where should the buck stop?
On March 13, 2014
American President Harry S. Truman famously had a sign on his...
 
The CGE Leadership Summit: A Visual Story
On February 28, 2014
It’s early morning, and the stage is set. Our panelists will...
 
Old Words and Deeds
On February 26, 2014
Disclaimer: Note that while I work as a public servant, this...
 
Dare to Imagine
On February 20, 2014
In my last blog, I wrote about the need for new...
 
A Blueprint For Successful Cloud Deployment: Waterfront Toronto
On February 18, 2014
What can the cloud do for you? IT in Canada is...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Craig Killough
On February 18, 2014
Canadian Government Executive is pleased to have Craig Killough, vice president...
 
Understanding Open Data: Don’t get left behind
On February 18, 2014
It is hard to believe that ninety percent of the world’s...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Vince Molinaro
On February 13, 2014
Strong leadership is in highest demand during times of unpredictable change....
 
From Public Service to public service
On February 11, 2014
I was (and still am) an ardent supporter of Canada’s Public...
 
How to Find Your Own “Gold Medallist” Recruit
On February 7, 2014
As we approach the 2014 Sochi Games, I can’t help but...
 
Canadian Governments Lagging in Online Service Delivery
On February 6, 2014
In November 2013, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Andrew Treusch
On February 3, 2014
The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) collected $419 billion in taxes and...
 
Weekly Roundup – January 31
On January 31, 2014
It’s the last day of January! Our summit is less than...
 
The (Dis)assembly Line: Lessons From the Past on Collaborative Productivity
On January 29, 2014
I recently read Matt Charlet’s blog post(1) in which he writes...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Dr. David Ulrich
On January 28, 2014
Canadian Government Executive is pleased to have Dr. David Ulrich, one...
 
C4ISR and Beyond: CGE’s Sister Summit Success
On January 27, 2014
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and...
 
21st-Century Public Servant Skills
On January 22, 2014
The complexities of the 21st century are creating a “transformational storm,”...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Karen Ellis
On January 20, 2014
What can often make or break one’s ability to lead in...
 
Weekly Roundup – Jan. 17
On January 17, 2014
It’s week’s end already! Did you miss any of our content...
 
Know What You Don’t Know – Then Find Out
On January 15, 2014
Let’s imagine for a moment. You’ve flown to England and joined...
 
Weekly Roundup – Jan. 10th
On January 10, 2014
We hope everyone had a great holiday and a happy New...
 
Communication and Networking: The Human Element
On January 9, 2014
In an era where everything we do seems to be moving...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Jean-René Halde
On January 8, 2014
To close CGE’s 2014 Leadership Summit, a panel of speakers will...
 
From Open Data to Open Government
On January 7, 2014
During 2013, Canadian governments at all levels were continuing to join...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Louise Levonian
On December 30, 2013
The question confronting the Canadian public service today isn’t whether it’s...
 
Weekly Roundup – Dec. 27th
On December 27, 2013
We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday! We’ve rounded...
 
Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear, Pt. 2
On December 24, 2013
Happy holidays, everyone. This blog will be the next installation in...
 
A Breath of Fresh Air
On December 18, 2013
I believe that the most important things in life should be...
 
Former Attorney General proposed as head of accounting oversight body
On December 17, 2013
The province of Ontario has proposed a new chair to lead...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Janice Baker
On December 16, 2013
Janice Baker, city manager and chief administrative officer with the City...
 
Twitter Best Practices for Govvys
On December 11, 2013
Last week Twitter, released its “Best Practices for Government” and it...
 
Nova Scotia Moves to Unify its Government Communications
On December 10, 2013
In this busy communications marketplace, governments are taking the way they...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Michael Graydon
On December 10, 2013
Executives today live and work in a fish bowl. They conduct...
 
Taking an Inward Approach to HR Management
On December 5, 2013
It’s Time for Talent Management The public service landscape has changed...
 
New Public Management… the New Latin?
On December 3, 2013
For many, Latin was one of those subjects that you had...
 
Manitoba recognizes health care innovation
On December 3, 2013
Innovation is a big deal when it comes to service delivery....
 
The Inevitability of Change
On December 3, 2013
I’ve asked ‘Is Change a Good Thing?’ and what we can do about ‘Transition Stress and Innovation’ . I’m starting...
 
Summit Speaker Profile: Kevin Leahy
On December 2, 2013
Kevin Leahy is looking to get the voices of Canada’s middle...
 
The Headache of Online Services
On December 2, 2013
A few weeks ago, Roy Wiseman blogged about how, despite the...
 
Weekly Roundup – Nov. 29th
On November 29, 2013
It’s the last week of November! We hope everyone’s been bundling...
 
Manitoba Recognizes Nurse Practitioners
On November 29, 2013
We keep hearing about how governments don’t appreciate their employees, so...
 
Stretching the Stretch Assignment
On November 27, 2013
Note that while I work as a public servant, this is...
 
Weekly Roundup – Nov. 22nd
On November 22, 2013
Did you miss any of our content this week? Have no...
 
Mismanage With Me, Volume 2
On November 21, 2013
Confessions of a Public Service Manager In my first supervisory position,...
 
Canada Health Infoway Receives Project Management Award
On November 21, 2013
Canada Health Infoway has been awarded the Global Project Management Office...
 
Transition Stress and Innovation
On November 20, 2013
I’ve written previously questioning whether change is such a good thing. Even...
 
A Partnership for French Services in Canada’s North
On November 19, 2013
The government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is looking to provide...
 
Weekly Roundup – Nov. 15th
On November 15, 2013
Winter is coming! We hope you bundled up warm this week....
 
A Partnership For Safer Schools
On November 14, 2013
We tend to talk a lot about partnership here at Canadian...
 
Zombie Apocalypse! (A Post-Halloween Blog)
On November 13, 2013
Zombie (noun): … person given the semblance of life, but mute...
 
The Importance of Open
On November 10, 2013
Over the years I have had the chance to reflect upon...
 
Weekly Roundup – November 8th
On November 8, 2013
We’ve had a lot of interesting articles this week. Did you...
 
Workplace Reinvention: Making an Impact
On November 7, 2013
Recently, I had the opportunity to virtually attend Impact 99 , an HR...
 
The Case for Modern Government
On November 5, 2013
In an October 16, 2013 article (“Service Ontario’s web failing to...
 
A Long Way Gone*
On November 4, 2013
Stephen Harper’s bullish foray into Commonwealth politics is a late entry...
 
Weekly Roundup – November 1st
On November 1, 2013
Hello, all! We have a list of everything we’ve been talking...
 
Before I Am Eligible to Retire
On October 30, 2013
I was thinking the other day, while I sat in my...
 
Weekly Roundup – October 25th
On October 25, 2013
Happy Friday, everyone! Did you miss any of our content this...
 
Can. Food Inspection Agency: Harvesting a New HR Approach
On October 24, 2013
The passage of the Safe Food for Canadians Act in November 2012 set the stage for...
 
Is Change a Good Thing?
On October 23, 2013
Change seems to be everywhere in Canada’s federal public service lately....
 
Mel Cappe and the Changing Face of Policy Creation
On October 22, 2013
Mel Cappe, former Clerk of the Privy Council, was at the...
 
The Results Are In: Your Thoughts on Blueprint 2020
On October 18, 2013
Last month, we posted a poll on Canadian Government Executive that...
 
The Push for a Mobile Workforce
On October 17, 2013
The future of mobile was a huge topic of discussion at...
 
Evolving and Collaborating to Survive
On October 16, 2013
The giraffe is a funny-looking animal. It has a very long...
 
Weekly Roundup – October 11th
On October 11, 2013
The long Thanksgiving weekend is upon us! Before you go, make...
 
GTEC Distinction Awards: A Necessary Celebration
On October 9, 2013
On Monday night, we gathered at the Ottawa Convention Centre to...
 
For What It’s Worth
On October 3, 2013
In 2006, a new budget watchdog, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, was...
 
Taking Stock: A Collection of Your Transferable Skills and Experiences
On October 3, 2013
Five years ago I took a Career Pathways course that discussed...
 
Canadian Governments Moving on Three Initiatives
On October 2, 2013
On returning from the Joint Councils meetings in Fort McMurray, I...
 
Weekly Roundup – September 27th
On September 27, 2013
It’s Friday! Here’s our roundup of everything we’ve been talking about...
 
Service Through Technology, Both New and Old
On September 26, 2013
As of last week, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador can order...
 
Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear
On September 25, 2013
Hello all. This post will be the first of a recurring...
 
“The Power of Why” and the Government’s Blueprint 2020 Agenda
On September 24, 2013
Ms. Amanda Lang, CBC Senior Business Correspondent and co-host of its...
 
Weekly Roundup – September 20th
On September 20, 2013
Is it Friday already? We’ve had a lot of content this...
 
Time Isn’t Always On Our Side
On September 20, 2013
An article in this week’s Harvard Business Review touts the importance...
 
CPSQA Meeting: Why You Need an Execution Plan
On September 18, 2013
Today’s Canadian Public Sector Quality Association (CPSQA) meeting in Ottawa featured...
 
Vampires Are Not Welcome at Work
On September 18, 2013
I’m either the best person, or the worst person, to talk...
 
Colour Me Naive
On September 17, 2013
You know, I have been around long enough to know better,...
 
Weekly Roundup – September 13th
On September 13, 2013
Happy Friday the 13th, everyone! We produced a lot of content...
 
GTEC 2013 Distinction Awards
On September 13, 2013
Last night, we attended the welcoming reception for honourees of the...
 
The Full Potential of a Day
On September 11, 2013
September brings fresh starts and new beginnings, so it was very...
 
It’s Okay to Fail – Really!
On September 10, 2013
It’s hard to admit when the things we’re doing aren’t going...
 
Weekly Roundup – September 6th
On September 6, 2013
It’s Friday already! If you’ve missed any of this week’s content...
 
The Power of Networks
On September 4, 2013
Just like mushrooms, networks are popping up everywhere; they proliferate after...
 
NCC: We Need Leadership in the Nation’s Capital
On September 3, 2013
If you want to talk about leadership, ask yourself: where is...
 
Does Blueprint 2020 Hold Wouters?
On September 3, 2013
Clerk of the Privy Council Wayne Wouters advocates the need for...
 
Quote of the Day – August 31st
On August 31, 2013
“Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good...
 
Weekly Roundup – August 30th
On August 30, 2013
Another week has drawn to a close! If you’ve missed any...
 
Quote of the Day – August 30th
On August 30, 2013
“We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess,...
 
Quote of the Day – August 29th
On August 29, 2013
“Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.” Earl...
 
Key Leadership Competencies and Tool Use
On August 28, 2013
Note that while I work as a public servant, this is...
 
Quote of the Day – August 28th
On August 28, 2013
“Honesty is the key to a relationship. If you can fake...
 
Quote of the Day – August 27th
On August 27, 2013
“The problem with people with no vices is that, generally, you...
 
You’ve Made a Mistake. Now What?
On August 26, 2013
As human beings, it can often be difficult for us to...
 
Quote of the Day – August 26th
On August 26, 2013
“Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure. It does mean you...
 
Quote of the Day – August 25th
On August 25, 2013
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its...
 
Quote of the Day – August 24th
On August 24, 2013
Make mistakes, but don’t overdo it. “If all else fails, immortality...
 
Weekly Roundup – August 23rd
On August 23, 2013
Did you miss any of our posts this week? No need...
 
Quote of the Day – August 23rd
On August 23, 2013
“The person who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.”...
 
Quote of the Day — August 22nd
On August 22, 2013
“Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to...
 
Praise is Good, Feedback is Better
On August 21, 2013
I’d like to think that I do good work. Unfortunately, though,...
 
IPAC 2013: Building Trust
On August 19, 2013
It’s an appropriate topic for the IPAC 2013 conference…rethinking public administration....
 
Weekly Roundup – August 16th
On August 16, 2013
Did you miss any of our posts this week? Don’t worry...
 
The Atlas of Public Management
On August 15, 2013
There is an unfortunate divide between academics and practitioners in the...
 
Quote of the Day – August 15th
On August 15, 2013
“As she frequently remarked when she made any mistake, it would...
 
Quote of the Day – August 14th
On August 14, 2013
“But as to this retirement business, let me give a word...
 
Living Within and Without Our Boxes
On August 13, 2013
I used to joke that boxes are for storing stuff, not...
 
Quote of the Day – August 13th
On August 13, 2013
“All this progress is marvelous. Now if only it would stop.”...
 
The Chef D’Orchestre: Leadership Model of the Future
On August 12, 2013
What word is even more ubiquitous in government circles than “change”?...
 
Weekly Roundup – August 9th
On August 9, 2013
It’s been an exciting week! Our blog has only been live...
 
Quote of the Day – August 9th
On August 9, 2013
“True progress can come only as the result of thoughtful, continuous,...
 
Quote of the Day – August 8th
On August 8, 2013
“I will make mistakes, but I hope it will be said...
 
Quote of the Day – August 7th
On August 7, 2013
“Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to...
 
Mismanage With Me
On August 7, 2013
He blew up the factory! Jack Welch, as CEO of General...
 
Welcome to Our Blog
On August 7, 2013
Welcome to our new blog. You found us… Our blog has...
 
Skillset 2020: Reshaping Our Work
On August 7, 2013
Since the Clerk’s Blueprint 2020 launch in June, departments have been working full...
 
Some title
Some title Some author
Some excerpt
MindLab’s Culture Shift
On January 12, 2016
By: Patrice Dutil The MindLab meets every expectation you might have...