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
We need not just a new generation of leadership but a new gender of leadership
—Bill Clinton (b.1946) American Head of State, Lawyer, Public Speaker
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
Power lasts ten years; influence not more than a hundred.
—Common Proverb
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
Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership. Always keep your word.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
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
We perceive and are affected by changes too subtle to be described.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
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
In the words of Max DePree: “Management has a lot to do with answers. But leadership is a function of questions. And the first question for a leader always is: ‘Who do we intend to be?’ Not ‘What are we going to do?’ but ‘Who do we intend to be?'”
—Max De Pree (1924–2017) American Businessman
Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.
—Tom Peters (b.1942) American Management Consultant, Author
Successful leaders have the courage to take action while others hesitate.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
When we think we lead we most are led.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on. 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
Leadership is not a right—it is a responsibility.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
Right or wrong, the customer is always right.
—Marshall Field (1834–1906) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson, Philanthropist
Life is too short for theatrics, for face time, for jumping through hoops, for excuses, for blaming, for trying too hard to please others, or for chasing society’s illusion of distant riches or fame.
—Robert Cooper (b.1947) British Diplomat
Tell a person they are brave and you help them become so.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Leadership is the challenge to be something more than average.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
He led his regiment from behind –
He found it less exciting.
But when away his regiment ran,
His place was at the fore, O.
—W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) English Dramatist, Librettist, Poet, Illustrator
He who dreads hostility too much is unfit to rule.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
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
The person who renders loyal service in a humble capacity will be chosen for higher responsibilities, just as the biblical servant who multiplied the one pound given him by his master was made ruler over ten cities.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
‘Teamwork’ is the word that bosses use when they actually mean ‘Do what I say.’
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
Men make history, and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.
—Marian Anderson (1897–1993) American Singer
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
Presidential leadership needn’t always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective.
—Donald Rumsfeld (1932–2021) U.S. Secretary of Defense
Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Leadership is much more an art, a belief, a condition of the heart, than a set of things to do. The visible signs of artful leadership are expressed, ultimately, in its practice.
—Max De Pree (1924–2017) American Businessman
A leader is a person you will follow to a place you wouldn’t go by yourself.
—Joel A. Barker
The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow.
—Marian Anderson (1897–1993) American Singer
I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.
—Indira Gandhi (1917–84) Indian Head of State
We know that leadership is very much related to change. As the pace of change accelerates, there is naturally a greater need for effective leadership.
—John Kotter (b.1947) American Management Consultant
Leadership is like the old galley ships. 100s are rowing, but only one (the captain) knows where they are going
—Indian Proverb
Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it. The man who knows how will always have a job. The man who also knows why will always be his boss. As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
That perfect bliss and sole felicity, the sweet fruition of an earthly crown.
—Christopher Marlowe (1564–93) English Playwright, Poet, Translator
The influential man is the successful man, whether he be rich or poor.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Communication is the real work of leadership.
—Nitin Nohria (b.1962) Indian-American Academic
Those that rule must hear and be deaf, must see and be blind.
—German Proverb
Those who can command themselves command others.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Most people think of leadership as a position and therefore don’t see themselves as leaders.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
There is no necessary connection between the desire to lead and the ability to lead, and even less the ability to lead somewhere that will be to the advantage of the led.
—Bergen Evans
Shoot for the moon If you miss you’ll land among stars.
—Les Brown
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
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
You can’t become a leader in one conference.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
We are not altogether here to tolerate. We are here to resist, to control and vanquish withal.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist