We need the kind of leadership exemplified by President Kennedy to just do it! But we must do it as good stewards, aggressively exerting control over the moon. We can best do this by going there.

The quote by Wilson Greatbatch emphasizes the importance of leadership and decisive action in achieving ambitious goals. He invokes President Kennedy as an exemplar of bold, visionary leadership, referencing Kennedy’s call to action in the space race. The phrase “just do it” underscores the need for courage, initiative, and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of groundbreaking achievements.

Greatbatch highlights the concept of good stewardship in exploring and utilizing new frontiers, in this case, the moon. He stresses that exploration is not just about reaching a destination but also about aggressively exerting control responsibly, implying careful management of resources and ethical consideration in scientific and technological endeavors. The quote reflects a balance between ambition and accountability.

The origin of this statement lies in Greatbatch’s perspective as an innovator and engineer during the era of space exploration in the 1960s and 1970s. His comments echo the spirit of the Apollo program and the broader American commitment to pioneering space missions, inspired by Kennedy’s famous speeches challenging the nation to achieve unprecedented goals.

In essence, the quote conveys that leadership, action, and responsible management are essential for success in ambitious ventures. Greatbatch emphasizes that achieving monumental goals, like lunar exploration, requires not only bold initiative but also careful oversight and dedication to the principles of good stewardship.