I wrote in an earlier post that these are the BEST of times. Not because the economy is on track, or business is booming, or peace is breaking out around the world. None of those things is true – at least, not today.
Still, these are the best of times for leaders. People are looking for leaders to help them navigate these perilous times. You can’t ask for a better opportunity to exercise your leadership muscles, improve your skills, and make a difference.
During times like these, I like to spend time thinking about what others have said about leadership. Great reminders, all, of what good leadership is all about. Here’s a few of my favorites:
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. Peter F. Drucker
The only safe ship in a storm is leadership. Faye Wattleton
I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody. Herbert Swope
Humans are ambitious and rational and proud. And we don’t fall in line with people who don’t respect us and who we don’t believe have our best interests at heart. We are willing to follow leaders, but only to the extent that we believe they call on our best, not our worst. Rachel Maddow
I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. Ralph Nader
Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others. Robert Lewis Stevenson
If you’re not confused, you’re not paying attention. Tom Peters
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt
A good leader inspires others with confidence in him; a great leader inspires them with confidence in themselves. Unknown.
Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results. George S. Patton
What are some of your favorites?
