Skip to content
Who's in the Video
Richard Armitage was the 13th United States Deputy Secretary of State, serving from 2001 to 2005. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and then after the[…]
Sign up for the Smarter Faster newsletter
A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Armitage claims chance and choice prove inspirational.

What inspires your work?

Armitage:    It never occurred to me not to.  You know Yogi Berra says when you come to a fork in the road you take it, and that’s what I’ve done.  I went to the Naval Academy to play football, not to be a naval officer.  And then I graduated, and I found myself in the Vietnam War.  Through people I’d met in Vietnam and after, I became acquainted with people who are working at high levels of government.  And they, for whatever reason, remembered me.  So one thing just led to another.  I don’t think there was a grand plan other than by the Creator.  I certainly didn’t have one.  I get up each morning, and if I come to a fork in the road I take it.


Related