General Stanley McChrystal

I think that's right. First, you need to listen to them. One of the things I learned in the counterterrorist fight was we had our forces, which, you know, I was obviously very close to the most elite people. And then we had our enemies. And there was a perception that they were two poles different. They actually had bent up.

I think that's right. First, you need to listen to them. One of the things I learned in the counterterrorist fight was we had our forces, which, you know, I was obviously very close to the most elite people. And then we had our enemies. And there was a perception that they were two poles different. They actually had bent up.

The personal attributes of the best people that I worked with and the best people that we fought, they were courageous, they believed in their cause, they were willing to sacrifice. There was a different life journey that got them to where they were. And if we're willing to listen to another person's life journey,

The personal attributes of the best people that I worked with and the best people that we fought, they were courageous, they believed in their cause, they were willing to sacrifice. There was a different life journey that got them to where they were. And if we're willing to listen to another person's life journey,

and admit often that had we had that same life journey, we would reach those same conclusions. Then you reach at a different point. Then they're not suddenly the enemy. They just have a different perspective.

and admit often that had we had that same life journey, we would reach those same conclusions. Then you reach at a different point. Then they're not suddenly the enemy. They just have a different perspective.

Well it is but if we try to say they're incontrovertible truths you know many of them what are they. You know, we start to say he courteous, kind and forgiving. Yeah, I mean, that's pretty good. And those are the things that are common denominator sort of things.

Well it is but if we try to say they're incontrovertible truths you know many of them what are they. You know, we start to say he courteous, kind and forgiving. Yeah, I mean, that's pretty good. And those are the things that are common denominator sort of things.

And that's where we have to connect, because the reality is we're not going to have the same view from different parts of the world, different parts of the country, different zip codes, different economic backgrounds, because your life journey is just enough different.

And that's where we have to connect, because the reality is we're not going to have the same view from different parts of the world, different parts of the country, different zip codes, different economic backgrounds, because your life journey is just enough different.

Yeah. I think from experience, one of the things you learn is you have to try to find common ground, and you have to start by having enough empathy. And remember, empathy is not sympathy. Doesn't mean you're rubbing somebody's belly and you agree with them. It means that you can... Would that have ended the Afghanistan war? Probably pretty quickly. Bring in the governor.

Yeah. I think from experience, one of the things you learn is you have to try to find common ground, and you have to start by having enough empathy. And remember, empathy is not sympathy. Doesn't mean you're rubbing somebody's belly and you agree with them. It means that you can... Would that have ended the Afghanistan war? Probably pretty quickly. Bring in the governor.

You have to be able to put yourself on the other side of the table. You know, I would talk to Pashtun elders, and they had big turbans and beards and craggy faces and different lives in mind, spoke a different language, had a different religion. But in reality, they were actually pretty good people. And if you had their loyalty and their respect... They were as good as we are.

You have to be able to put yourself on the other side of the table. You know, I would talk to Pashtun elders, and they had big turbans and beards and craggy faces and different lives in mind, spoke a different language, had a different religion. But in reality, they were actually pretty good people. And if you had their loyalty and their respect... They were as good as we are.

In fact, they are very similar to us. So if you stop assuming that anyone who doesn't share those attributes is different and therefore less than you, you have a different approach to it.

In fact, they are very similar to us. So if you stop assuming that anyone who doesn't share those attributes is different and therefore less than you, you have a different approach to it.

Very much so. Of course, I canceled my Rolling Stone subscription right after that. But the reality, yeah. Don't worry. Everyone else did, too. Don't even worry about it. It's funny now because, you know, we've got a little time and space. But, no, we had an article that came out that I didn't think was accurate, but I accepted responsibility for it.

Very much so. Of course, I canceled my Rolling Stone subscription right after that. But the reality, yeah. Don't worry. Everyone else did, too. Don't even worry about it. It's funny now because, you know, we've got a little time and space. But, no, we had an article that came out that I didn't think was accurate, but I accepted responsibility for it.

And the reality was, in that moment, I had been born in an army hospital. I'd lived in an army family. I'd gone to West Point at age 17. I was now 55, almost 56. And suddenly, in an instant, when I offered my resignation to President Obama, I'm not a soldier anymore. I'm not a commander. I'm not a soldier. What am I? You could say, I'm a failure. I go home. Is that how you felt?

And the reality was, in that moment, I had been born in an army hospital. I'd lived in an army family. I'd gone to West Point at age 17. I was now 55, almost 56. And suddenly, in an instant, when I offered my resignation to President Obama, I'm not a soldier anymore. I'm not a commander. I'm not a soldier. What am I? You could say, I'm a failure. I go home. Is that how you felt?