Leadership Quotes

"The deadliest enemies of nations are not their foreign foes; they always dwell within their borders. … The nation blessed above all nations is she in whom the civic genius of the people does the saving day by day, by acts without external picturesqueness; by speaking, writing, voting reasonably; by smiting corruption swiftly; by good temper between parties; by the people knowing true men when they see them, and preferring them as leaders to rabid partisans or empty quacks."

- William James

"The effect of [a representative democracy is] to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of the nation."

- James Madison

"What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."

- Robert Kennedy

"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely."

- Franklin Roosevelt

"Let us not despair but act. Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past – let us accept our own responsibility for the future."

- John F. Kennedy

"What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred… but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another."

- Robert Kennedy

"Thinkers are leaders and true leaders are thinkers."

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"When the crowd is headed in the wrong direction, walk alone."

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"To encourage people, walk beside them. To inspire people, walk in front of them. To drive people, walk behind them. To lead people, walk with them."

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"To be a good leader, win minds; to be a great leader, win heart’s; and to be an extraordinary leader, win souls."

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"The greatest politician must humble himself before the lowest constituent. The greatest governor must humble himself before the lowest peasant. The greatest president must humble himself before the lowest citizen. The greatest leader must humble himself before the lowest servant."

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"A good shepherd always feeds his sheep first, even when he himself is hungry."

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"The greatest leaders are the greatest servants."

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead

"A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible."

- Polybius

"The leader has to be practical and a realist yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist."

- Eric Hoffer

"Education is the mother of leadership."

- Wendell Willkie

"He who has great power should use it lightly."

- Seneca

"He who has learned how to obey will know how to command."

- Solon

"Leaders set high standards, refuse to tolerate mediocrity or poor performance."

- Brian Tracy

"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate."

- Thomas Jefferson

"Never could follow a man with a bottle, he’s a baby with a beard and not a feared role model"

- Chuck D.

"The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success."

- Sun Tzu

"He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain."

- Sun Tzu

"Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous."

- Sun Tzu

"The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom."

- Sun Tzu

"Exhibiting accountability over time is a gateway to trust. When we see someone acting with accountability, we gain the evidence we need to trust them."

- Mike Erwin and Willys Devoll

"If you're going to be a leader, you're not going to please everybody. You have to hold people accountable, even if you have that moment of being uncomfortable."

- Kobe Bryant

"Leaders inspire accountability through their ability to accept responsibility before they place blame."

- Courtney Lynch

"Once people have a clear idea of what decisions they should and should not be making, holding them accountable for decisions feels fair."

- Gary L. Neilson