Successful leaders have the courage to take action while others hesitate.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
The man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.
—James Cook (1728–79) English Explorer, Cartographer
When placed in command—take charge.
—H. Norman Schwarzkopf (1934–2012) United States Army General
The well being of the people is the supreme law.
—Indian Proverb
The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.
—Warren Bennis (1925–2014) American Business Academic, Author
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Some wisdom you must learn from one who’s wise.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
He is the richest man who enriches his country most; in whom the people feel richest and proudest; who gives himself with his money; who opens the doors of opportunity widest to those about him; who is ears to the deaf; eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. Such a man makes every acre of land in his community worth more, and makes richer every man who lives near him.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
One is too small a number to achieve greatness.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
The law of process says leaders develop daily, not in a day.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret.
—Salvador Dali (1904–89) Spanish Painter
All business success rests on something labeled a sale, which at least momentarily weds company and customer.
—Tom Peters (b.1942) American Management Consultant, Author
Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too.
—Robert Half
Leaders don’t inflict pain—they share pain.
—Max De Pree (1924–2017) American Businessman
Leaders learn by leading, and they learn best by leading in the face of obstacles. As weather shapes mountains, problems shape leaders.
—Warren Bennis (1925–2014) American Business Academic, Author
Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
The secret of a leader lies in the tests he has faced over the whole course of his life and the habit of action he develops in meeting those tests.
—Gail Sheehy (1936–2020) American Writer, Journalist
The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering galleries, they are clearly heard at the end, and by posterity.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Let him that would move the world, first move himself.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
Leadership is the challenge to be something more than average.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
There are no warlike people, just warlike leaders.
—Ralph Bunche (1903–71) American Political Scientist, Diplomat
Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
Leadership is not a right—it is a responsibility.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
Every life is a profession of faith and exercises an inevitable and silent influence.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
It is a strange trade that of advocacy. Your intellect, your highest heavenly gift is hung up in the shop window like a loaded pistol for sale.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
The more credible you are, the more confidence people place in you, thereby allowing you the privilege of influencing their lives.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember this whole thing was started by a mouse.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur