We are often inspired by words, thoughts and feelings expressed by those we have come to call the ‘thought leaders’ of leadership practice. Enjoy some of these ‘thought stimulators’ and reflect on what they might mean for you in your life and practice.
‘The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago…the next best time is now.’
African proverb
We always look forward to conversation about where your practice and development are taking you next. Contact us any time at http://limitlessleadership.
“Any successful journey of continual improvement shows five components: a vision of a desired end state; knowledge of where we are now, our present sate; a roadmap for strategic intent; an internal drive system; a value system of principles.” Robert. R Thompson
“The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called ‘truth.'” Dan Rather
“There are those who work all day. Those who dream all day. And those who spend an hour dreaming before setting to work to fulfill those dreams. Go into the third category because there’s virtually no competition.” Steven J Ross
“It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” Leonardo da Vinci
“The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what interests you and that you can do well, and put your whole soul into it — every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.” John D. Rockefeller, III
“People can’t live with change if there is not a changeless core inside them. The key to the ability to change is the changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value.: Stephen R. Covey
“An essential part of being a good leader is being a good teacher. Good teaching is universal, whatever the topic…” Chuck Salter, from Attention Class!
“Everyone who has ever taken a shower has an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes the difference.” Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari
“Management is the efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.” Stephen R. Covey
“Only the leader can set the tone of the dialogue in the organization. Dialogue is the core of culture and the basic unit of work. How people talk to each other absolutely determines how well the organization will function.” Bossidy and Charran, Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done
“Eventually relationships determine the size and length of leadership.” John C. Maxwell
“In organizations, the real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions.” Margaret Wheatly
“If you wish for others to believe in you, you first must convince them that you believe in them.” Harvey Mackay
“You don’t have to be a person of influence to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they’ve taught me.” Scott Adams
“Control is not leadership; management is not leadership; leadership is leadership. If you seek to lead, invest at least 50% of your time in leading yourself—your own purpose, ethics, principles, motivation, conduct. Invest at least 20% leading those with authority over you and 15% leading your peers.” Dee Hock, Founder and CEO Emeritus, Visa
“Set the course of your life by the three stars – sincerity, courage and unselfishness. From these flow a host of other virtues…He who follows them will obtain the highest type of success, that which lies in the esteem of others.” Monroe E. Deutsch
“In seeking knowledge, the first step is silence, the second listening, the third remembering, the fourth practicing, and the fifth – teaching others.” Ibn Gabirol
“Perhaps you have heard the expression, ‘the person who stands for nothing will fall for anything’. In order to genuinely lead, you must stand for something. You must be willing to commit yourself to certain beliefs, values and actions. Then you must be willing to make them public. This is risky…because when you make your positions visible, others will hold you much more accountable for the. Finally you must then stay true to the stands you have taken. People will be watching you with a crooked eye to make sure that the actions you take are in line with the lofty or passionate words you have spoken.” Steve Coats, The Risk of Taking a Stand.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” Thomas Jefferson
“There is something that is much scarcer, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.” Robert Half
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, ‘We did this ourselves.'” Lao-Tse
“If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” General George S. Patton
“Any man who knows all the answers most likely misunderstood the questions.” Unknown
“The 4-way test of things we think, say or do…
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and better relationships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all?”
Rotary International motto
‘Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts. Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success.” Stephen Covey
“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps. We must be willing to step up the stairs.” Vance Havne
“Every problem or difficulty you face contains the seed of an equal or greater advantage or benefit.”
Napoleon Hill
“Celebrate! Achieving goals and surpassing milestones deserve credit. Celebrating these accomplishments underscores the value that each person brings to the table and confirms unexpected behaviors – all while serving as inspirations for future learning.” From Valuing people, Ivy Sea
“I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit.” Dawna Markova
