John P. Kotter Leadership Quotations

Great leadership does not mean running away from reality. Sometimes the hard truths might just demoralize the company, but at other times sharing difficulties can inspire people to take action that will make the situation better.

We know that leadership is very much related to change. As the pace of change accelerates, there is naturally a greater need for effective leadership.

Great leaders motivate large groups of individuals to improve the human condition.

Effective leaders help others to understand the necessity of change and to accept a common vision of the desired outcome.

Motivation and inspiration energize people, not by pushing them in the right direction as control mechanisms do but by satisfying basic human needs for achievement, a sense of belonging, recognition, self-esteem, a feeling of control over one's life, and the ability to live up to one's ideals. Such feelings touch us deeply and elicit a powerful response.

One of the most common ways to overcome resistance to change is to educate people about it beforehand. Communication of ideas helps people see the need for and the logic of a change. The education process can involve one-on-one discussions, presentations to groups, or memos and reports.