Leaders often use pithy quotes in leadership talks, staff meetings, or when framing strategic direction. The reason we are attracted to quotes is because they capture, in a succinct way, something we believe to be true and important. Below are five I have used many times. None of them are from current writers or thinkers. While I believe it is important to read current writers and thinkers, we miss so much wisdom if we only read the new stuff.
A leader’s role is to define reality and then give hope. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
Leadership is always future-oriented. To move people toward the future, leaders must create angst and dissatisfaction with the current status quo. They must define reality. But they cannot leave people with frustration over the current context; they must simultaneously offer hope for the future.
No one can be a good bishop if he loves his title and not his task. ~ Augustine
There is a big difference between someone who longs for the title and someone who loves the work. A leader who lives for the position and the perks that come with the position will never be a good leader. Those who love the task, the people, and the mission care less about the title and are much more likely to lead well.
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. ~ C. S. Lewis
Leadership is ultimately for people. More than ideas or strategies or systems, people are at the center of leadership. And these people, we must remind ourselves continually, are created in the image of God and are deeply loved by Him. They are not ordinary. They are deeply valuable.
Whatever is celebrated is cultivated. ~ Plato
The values a leader and a leadership team celebrate will be the values that guide behavior. If a value is not taking root in a culture, then that value has not been and is not being celebrated passionately. If you want to change a culture among those you are leading, then you must celebrate the values you want to guide the culture.
Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least. ~ Wolfgang von Goethe
Leaders daily make decisions about where to invest time, energy, and resources. Wise leaders work hard to focus on the most important. They discipline themselves to invest time and energy and resources in that which bears the most fruit. If leaders say yes to everything, the most important will be suffocated by the least important.
