Leadership Quotes

What separates leaders from the crowd? These words from history's most influential figures reveal the answer.

30104 quotes

G
"The greatest machinery is useless without the men of skill to operate it."
George Stephenson
G
"To lead is to inspire; to inspire is to show what is possible."
George Stephenson
R
"The first object of human life is to form the character of men."
Robert Owen
R
"The character of nations is formed by the character of individuals."
Robert Owen
R
"The power of example is greater than the power of argument."
Robert Owen
I
"A man without a vision is like a ship without a compass; he may move, but he will never arrive."
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
I
"I have always believed that boldness and careful planning are not contradictory, but complementary."
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
I
"I have learned that the most effective leaders are those who inspire others through their example."
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
I
"I have learned that success is not achieved by following the well-trodden path, but by creating a new one."
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
I
"A true engineer is part scientist, part artist, and entirely devoted to the service of humanity."
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
"We are not merely workers; we are architects of the future."
Jedediah Strutt
"The tool in your hand is an extension of your vision."
Jedediah Strutt
R
"The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing idle hands become productive hands."
Richard Arkwright
R
"One must invest in machinery as one invests in oneself—with complete commitment."
Richard Arkwright
R
"To lead men, one must first understand the machinery of their ambitions."
Richard Arkwright
R
"To lead is to serve the greater good, even when the greater good does not yet understand it."
Richard Arkwright
"The partnership between a man of ideas and a man of action can move mountains."
Matthew Boulton
"I have learned that listening to your workers is as important as directing them."
Matthew Boulton
"In every worker there is a potential genius; the task is to unlock it."
Matthew Boulton
"In the cooperation of skilled minds lies the power to move the world."
Matthew Boulton
"The partnership of diverse talents creates symphonies of achievement."
Matthew Boulton
"A partnership of equals produces greater results than a hierarchy of masters."
Matthew Boulton
"The true innovation is not in the machine, but in the method of treating those who build it."
Matthew Boulton
J
"The merchant who succeeds in his calling must be a missionary at heart."
John Wanamaker
J
"I learned early that if you cannot serve, you cannot lead."
John Wanamaker
J
"I have always believed that the best way to influence others is to serve them."
John Wanamaker
J
"The man who serves his community will always find his business thriving."
John Wanamaker
J
"A true leader is not one who commands, but one who inspires."
John Wanamaker
F
"The customer is always right."
Frank Woolworth
F
"A good leader inspires others to succeed."
Frank Woolworth