i recall a chapter in Jimmy Carter's biography in which he summarises his interview with Admiral Rickover. According to President Carter (a Navy Lt at the time of the interview, i believe) during the interview, Adm Rickover asked him if, while he was a cadet at the Naval Academy, he had always done his best--that was literally the question. Carter's reply was something like "no sir, quite often but not always" In response, Rickover turns his chair around to signal the end of the interview.