21 Quotes by James MacGregor Burns

Leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth.

Leadership, in short, is power governed by principle, directed toward raising people to their highest levels of personal motive and social morality,

The ultimate test of practical leadership is the realization of intended, real change that meets people's enduring needs.

Such leadership occurs when one or more persons engage with others in such a way that leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality.

In real life, the most practical advice for leaders is not to treat pawns like pawns, nor princes like princes, but all persons like persons.

The ultimate test of practical leadership is the realization of intended, real change that meets people’s enduring needs.

Woodrow Wilson called for leaders who, by boldly interpreting the nation’s conscience, could lift a people out of their everyday selves. That people can be lifted into their better selves is the secret of transforming leadership.

Those who remember only that the Roosevelts served hot dogs to the royals will be fascinated by this well-researched account of an historic and ennobling relationship – a great story!

A leader and a tyrant are polar opposites.