Warren G. Bennis Men Quotations

Unlike top management at Enron, exemplary leaders reward dissent. They encourage it. They understand that, whatever momentary discomfort they experience as a result of being told they might be wrong, it is more than offset by the fact that the information will help them make better decisions.

I wanted the influence. In the end I wasn't very good at being a president. I looked out of the window and thought that the man cutting the lawn actually seemed to have more control over what he was doing.

Success in management requires learning as fast as the world is changing.

The manager administers; the leader innovates.

Perhaps the central task of the leader of leaders thus becomes the development of other leaders.

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

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

Government is like an onion. To understand it, you have to peel through many different layers. Most outsiders never get beyond the first or second layer.

Leaders know the importance of having someone in their lives who will unfailingly and fearlessly tell them the truth.

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.

The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.

Taking charge of your own learning is a part of taking charge of your life, which is the sine qua non in becoming an integrated person.

Leadership has become a heavy industry. Concern and interest about leadership development is no longer an American phenomenon. It is truly global. Though I will probably be in less demand, I wanted to move on.