Warren G. Bennis

“Effective leaders are not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.”

“Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.”

“There are two ways of being creative. One can sing and dance. Or one can create an environment in which singers and dancers flourish.”

“Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity.”

“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.”

“None of us is as smart as all of us.”

“The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.”

“Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work.”

“No leader sets out to be a leader. People set out to live their lives, expressing themselves fully. When that expression is of value, they become leaders.”

“The basis of leadership is the capacity of the leader to change the mindset, the framework of the other person.”

“Managers are people who do things right, and leaders are people who do the right thing.”

“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.”

“A leader doesn't just get the message across; a leader is the message.”

“Success in management requires learning as fast as the world is changing.”

“Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult.”

“Failing to honor your own gifts is a terrible waste.”

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”

“The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.”

“Too many companies believe people are interchangeable. Truly gifted people never are. They have unique talents.”

“Taking charge of your own learning is a part of taking charge of your life.”