The best leader is the one who has the sense to surround himself with outstanding people and self-restraint not to meddle with how they do their jobs.
—Indian Proverb
All poets adore explosions, thunderstorms, tornadoes, conflagrations, ruins, scenes of spectacular carnage. The poetic imagination is therefore not at all a desirable quality in a chief of state.
—W. H. Auden (1907–73) British-born American Poet, Dramatist
It is the Vague and Elusive. Meet it and you will not see its head. Follow it and you will not see its back.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The wise man who is not heeded is counted a fool, and the fool who proclaims the general folly first and loudest passes for a prophet and Fuhrer, and sometimes it is luckily the other way round as well, or else mankind would long since have perished of stupidity.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
While once it was the rank and file that cheered with all the partisan passions at their heights, today it is the party leaders who are cheering themselves; and all by themselves. The mob that is their audience is in one vast universal trance, thinking about something else.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Leadership is the wise use of power. Power is the capacity to translate intention into reality and sustain it.
—Warren Bennis (1925–2014) American Business Academic, Author
Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs.
—George Will (b.1941) American Columnist, Journalist, Writer
Asking “who ought to be the boss” is like asking “who ought to be the tenor in the quartet?” Obviously, the man who can sing tenor.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Coaching is nothing more than eliminating mistakes before you get fired.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
We are reformers in the spring and summer, but in autumn we stand by the old. Reformers in the morning, and conservers at night.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
An army of deer would be more formidable commanded by a lion, than a an army of lions commanded by a stag.
—Common Proverb
Leadership is a word and a concept that has been more argued than almost any other I know. I am not one of the desk-pounding types that likes to stick out his jaw and look like he is bossing the show. I would far rather get behind and, recognizing the frailties and the requirements of human nature, would rather try to persuade a man to go along, because once I have persuaded him, he will stick. If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared, and then he is gone.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
In our society a man is known by the company he owns.
—Gerald F. Lieberman
Do you wish to rise?. Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?. Lay first the foundation of humility.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Thus we feed on genius, and refresh ourselves from too much conversation with our mates, and exult in the depth of nature in that direction in which he leads us. What indemnification is one great man for populations of pigmies! Every mother wishes one son a genius, though all the rest should be mediocre. But a new danger appears in the excess of influence of the great man. His attractions warp us from our place. We have become underlings and intellectual suicides. Ah! yonder in the horizon is our help;- other great men, new qualities, counterweights and checks on each other. We cloy of the honey of each peculiar greatness. Every hero becomes a bore at last. Perhaps Voltaire was not bad-hearted, yet he said of the good Jesus, even, I pray you, let me never hear that man’s name again. They cry up the virtues of George Washington,- Damn George Washington! is the poor Jacobin’s whole speech and confutation. But it is human nature’s indispensable defense. The centripetence augments the centrifugence. We balance one man with his opposite, and the health of the state depends on the see-saw.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
You can lead a whore to culture but you can’t make her think.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
It takes great goals to lead us out of our everyday limits into accomplishing more than we ever thought we could or would.
—Robert Cooper (b.1947) British Diplomat
Leaders come in many forms, with many styles and diverse qualities. There are quiet leaders and leaders one can hear in the next county. Some find strength in eloquence, some in judgment, some in courage.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Activist
The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret.
—Salvador Dali (1904–89) Spanish Painter
Those who can command themselves command others.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
What is the main event today? What do you want me to focus on today?
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
Leadership is not a right—it is a responsibility.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
Justice is the first virtue of those who command, and stops the complaints of those who obey.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
Are you a serial idea-starting person? The goal is to be an idea-shipping person.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee and I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the sun.
—John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) American Oil Magnate, Philanthropist
I am not a labor leader. I don’t want you to follow me or anyone else. If you are looking for a Moses to lead you out of the capitalist wilderness you will stay right where you are. I would not lead you into this promised land if I could, because if I could lead you in, someone else could lead you out.
—Eugene V. Debs (1855–1926) American Socialist, Union Leader
Leaders don’t inflict pain—they share pain.
—Max De Pree (1924–2017) American Businessman
Telling people I can’t lose weight may make me eat more—to prove myself right. Perhaps if I told people, “‘I’m gonna lose 20.”
—Marty Nemko (b.1950) American Career Coach
The genius of a good leader is to leave behind him a situation which common sense, without the grace of genius, can deal with successfully.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator, Writer
Yes, there are times when the gold medal only goes to the winner. But not in the race of life, where the winners are those who are superior not to others but to their former selves.
—Robert Cooper (b.1947) British Diplomat
A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done.
—Ralph Lauren (b.1939) American Businessman
The law of process says leaders develop daily, not in a day.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
The manager administers; the leader innovates. The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why. The manager has his eye on the bottom line; the leader has his eye on the horizon. The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
—Warren Bennis (1925–2014) American Business Academic, Author
Power lasts ten years; influence not more than a hundred.
—Common Proverb
He who influences the thought of his times influences the times that follow.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Effective leaders are known by the questions they ask rather than the statements they make.
—Unknown
Education is the mother of leadership.
—Wendell Willkie (1892–1944) American Politician, Lawyer
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
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
The business world reaches out for and rewards leaders who can relegate and delegate.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
What makes a good follower? The single most important characteristic may well be a willingness to tell the truth. In a world of growing complexity leaders are increasingly dependent on their subordinates for good information, whether the leaders want to hear it or not. Followers who tell the truth and leaders who listen to it are an unbeatable combination.
—Warren Bennis (1925–2014) American Business Academic, Author
Some wisdom you must learn from one who’s wise.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
An order that can be misunderstood will be misunderstood.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
The humblest individual exerts some influence, either for good or evil, upon others.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.
—Indian Proverb