139 Quotes by Warren G. Bennis

The opposite of hope is despair, and when we despair, it is because we feel there are no choices.

If knowing yourself and being yourself were as easy to do as to talk about, there wouldn't be nearly so many people walking around in borrowed postures, spouting secondhand ideas, trying desperately to fit in rather than to stand out.

Too many companies believe people are interchangeable. Truly gifted people never are. They have unique talents. Such people cannot be forced into roles they are not suited for, nor should they be. Effective leaders allow great people to do the work they were born to do.

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.

In life, change is inevitable. In business, change is vital.

Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.

Trust is the emotional glue that binds followers and leaders together.

Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them.

Leaders learn by leading, and they learn bestby leading in the face of obstacles. As weather shapes mountains, problems shape leaders.