he that cannot obey cannot command

he that cannot obey cannot command

proverb A true leader is capable of taking orders from others. Don't make that guy a manager—he never listens to anything his bosses say! And he that cannot obey cannot command.
See also: cannot, command, he, that
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

He that cannot obey cannot command.

Prov. If you want to become a leader, you should first learn how to follow someone else. Jones can't seem to do anything I ask him to. He'll never get anywhere; he that cannot obey cannot command.
See also: cannot, command, he, that
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • teach a man to fish
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • a man is judged by his deeds, not by his words
  • actions speak louder than words
  • best-laid plans go astray, the
  • the best-laid plans
  • the best-laid plans go astray
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men
  • all cats are gray after dark/at night