Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.

The quote argues that effective leadership rests on two pillars: competence (strategy) and moral fiber (character). Schwarzkopf’s hierarchy is explicit: if circumstances force a tradeoff, character is nonnegotiable. Strategy can be learned, delegated, or corrected through experience and counsel; character—integrity, courage, accountability—determines whether power is used responsibly and whether followers will trust the leader. The aphorism also warns that strategic talent without character is dangerous: it can enable manipulation, abuse, or short-term wins that corrode institutions. In military and civic settings alike, it frames leadership as an ethical vocation rather than merely a technical skill.

1) "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy." 2) "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. If you must be without one, be without the strategy." 3) "Leadership is a combination of strategy and character; if you must be without one, be without strategy."