This quote essentially captures the idea that, at a certain point in the hierarchy of a company or an organization, reasons or justifications for actions and decisions stop having significance. This happens because, at higher levels of leadership, decisions are often made based on the overall vision, strategy, or intuition, rather than specific, tangible reasons. In other words, the higher you ascend in an organization, the less your decisions are about reacting to specific problems and the more they are about shaping the future direction of the organization.

This quote also highlights the difference between operational roles and strategic roles within an organization. Operational roles, like a janitor, are often focused on addressing immediate, tangible issues. On the other hand, strategic roles, like a CEO, are centered around making decisions that shape the future of the organization, often based on abstract concepts rather than concrete reasons.

In today’s world, this idea is particularly relevant. In an era of rapid change and uncertainty, leaders are often required to make decisions based on their vision and intuition, rather than concrete reasons or past experiences. This requires a shift in mindset, from being problem-focused to being vision-focused.

In terms of personal development, this quote suggests that as individuals grow and progress in their careers, they need to move beyond making decisions based on immediate, tangible reasons and start making decisions based on their overall vision and values. This involves developing a clear sense of purpose and direction, and having the courage to make decisions that align with this, even when the reasons may not be immediately apparent or understood by others. It’s about learning to trust one’s intuition and judgement, and having the confidence to take risks and make bold decisions.