139 Quotes by Warren G. Bennis

Vision animates, inspires, transforms purpose into action.

A new leader has to be able to change an organization that is dreamless, soulless and visionless ... someone's got to make a wake up call.

What makes a good follower? The single most important characteristic may well be a willingness to tell the truth. In a world of growing complexity leaders are increasingly dependent on their subordinates for good information, whether the leaders want to hear it or not. Followers who tell the truth and leaders who listen to it are an unbeatable combination.

To be authentic is literally to be your own author... to discover your own native energies and desires, and then to find your own way of acting on them.

Successful leadership is not about being tough or soft, sensitive or assertive, but about a set of attributes. First and foremost is character

The leader has a clear idea of what he wants to do professionally and personally, and the strength to persist in the face of setbacks, even failures

Power is the basic energy needed to initiate and sustain action or, to put it another way, the capacity to translate intention into reality and sustain it. Leadership is the wise use of this power: Transformative leadership.

In order to serve its purpose, a vision has to be a shared vision.

Recognize the skills and traits you don't possess, and hire the people who have them.