Jim Mattis is a former US Secretary of Defense who is known as Mad Dog because of his tough military style. During his lengthy career in the Marine Corps, he held a number of high-level positions before rising to prominence in American foreign policy.

The difficulties faced by people in leadership positions during times of war or conflict are highlighted in Mattis' comment regarding signing letters to one's next of kin. Official correspondence to family members in the event of a service member's death or serious injury while on duty is known as a "next-of-kin letter." Having to deal with the harsh reality of human loss and the toll that war takes is a requirement for signing these letters.

Imagine spending your days tending to plants as a gardener, but occasionally having to remove unhealthy branches to preserve the remaining plants. Every time they make this difficult choice, it has an impact on the garden's health as well as on people who value its aesthetics. Similar to this, military leaders frequently have to "cut away" the unhealthy aspects of their plans, even though they are aware that doing so will have an impact on people's lives and families.

This statement by Mattis captures the challenge of striking a balance between aspirational objectives and the pragmatic demands of leadership. It emphasizes how one's initial optimism about the mission or cause at hand can be undermined by the daily grind of making difficult decisions. Leaders must constantly reevaluate their principles in the face of harsh realities as they negotiate complex situations and strike a balance between optimism for a better future and the sobering duties that accompany leadership.

In addition to his military prowess, Jim Mattis is renowned for his perceptive observations on the nature of leadership and conflict. Those who have served or are curious about the complexities of national security issues frequently find great resonance in his observations.