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
Napoleon affords us an example of the danger of elevating one’s self to the absolute, and sacrificing everything to the carrying out of an idea.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
When I think of this life I have led; the desolation of solitude it has been; the masoned, walled-town of a Captain’s exclusiveness, which admits but small entrance to any sympathy from the green country without—oh, weariness! heaviness! Guinea-coast slavery of solitary command!
—Herman Melville (1819–91) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist, Poet
I was not the lion, but it fell to me to give the lion’s roar.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
If you want to be comfortable—take an easy job. If you aspire to leadership, take off your coat.
—Indian Proverb
I don’t believe in just ordering people to do things. You have to sort of grab an oar and row with them.
—Harold S. Geneen (1910–1997) British-American Businessman
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
We praise old times, but show no curiosity about modern events.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Blessed are the people whose leaders can look destiny in the eye without flinching but also without attempting to play God.
—Henry Kissinger (1923–2023) American Diplomat, Academician
There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
The character and qualifications of the leader are reflected in the men he selects, develops and gathers around him. Show me the leader and I will know his men. Show me the men and I will know their leader. Therefore, to have loyal, efficient employees-be a loyal and efficient employer.
—Arthur W. Newcomb
The higher men climb,
the longer their working day.
There are no office hours for leaders.
—James Gibbons (1834–1921) American Catholic Religious Leader, Clergyman
There is great force hidden in a gentle command.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
That perfect bliss and sole felicity, the sweet fruition of an earthly crown.
—Christopher Marlowe (1564–93) English Playwright, Poet, Translator
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
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
Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Eagles don’t flock—you have to find them one at a time.
—Ross Perot (1930–2019) American Businessman
What you cannot enforce, do not command.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
No affection and a great brain, these are the people to command the world.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Leadership is not magnetic personality—that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people—that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.
—Peter Drucker (1909–2005) Austrian-born Management Consultant
The well being of the people is the supreme law.
—Indian Proverb
Leadership must be established from the top down.
—Sam Nunn (b.1938) American Politician, Lawyer
The golden rule for every business man is this: “Put yourself in your customer’s place.”
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing.
—Tom Peters (b.1942) American Management Consultant, Author
The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same.
—Stendhal (Marie-Henri Beyle) (1783–1842) French Writer
Men are led by trifles.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
I don’t think that a leader can control to any great extent his destiny. Very seldom can he step in and change the situation if the forces of history are running in another direction.
—Richard Nixon (1913–94) American Head of State, Lawyer
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
Every ruler is harsh whose laws is new.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
Leave a Reply