Quotes about leadership
138 quotes from 99 people
Scott Adams1957–2026The Dilbert Principle (1996)
Aesop620–564 BCAesop’s Fables (6th century BC), The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion – The Cat and the CockIn context
Marie Antoinette1755–1793Letter to her mother, Empress Maria Theresa (June 1775), after Louis XVI’s coronation at Reims; as quoted in Antonia Fraser, Marie Antoinette: The Journey (2001), p. 135
Aurangzeb1618–1707Ruqat-i-Alamgiri, as quoted in William Irvine, Later Mughals, Vol. II: 1719–1739 (1922)
Richard Bachborn 1936The Bridge Across Forever (1984)A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Decide, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.
Ambrose Bierce1842–1914The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
Omar Bradley1893–1981On military character, in 19 Stars: A Study in Military Character and Leadership (1981) by Edgar F. Puryear Jr.We are dealing with [veterans], not procedures; with their problems, not ours.
Omar Bradley1893–1981“General Bradley Speaks of Personnel Affairs,” Veterans Administration Personnel Bulletin IB-5, Volume 11 (31 May 1947)When a man is able to take abuse with a smile, he is worthy to become a leader.
John Buchan1875–1940Montrose and Leadership (1930), p. 24; republished in Men and Deeds (1977)A leader must have the courage to act against an expert’s advice.
James Callaghan1912–2005The Harvard Business Review (1 November 1986)A leader has to appear consistent. That doesn’t mean he has to be consistent.
James Callaghan1912–2005The Harvard Business Review (1 November 1986)No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.
Andrew Carnegie1835–1919As quoted in Managing Software Development Projects: Formula for Success (1995) by Neal Whitten, p. 63
