The true mark of a leader is the willingness to stick with a bold course of action — an unconventional business strategy, a unique product-development roadmap, a controversial marketing campaign — even as the rest of the world wonders why you're not marching in step with the status quo. In other words, real leaders are happy to zig while others zag. They understand that in an era of hyper-competition and non-stop disruption, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something special.

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"Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it."

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Leadership

"Pay attention to those employees who respectfully ask why. They are demonstrating an interest in their jobs and exhibiting a curiosity that could eventually translate into leadership ability."

- Harvey Mackay

Leadership

"Everyone talks about building a relationship with your customer. I think you build one with your employees first."

- Angela Ahrendts

Leadership

"Leaders can let you fail and yet not let you be a failure."

- Stanley McChrystal

Leadership

"An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage."

- Jack Welch

Leadership