This inspiring collection of short quotes is all about leadership.
Whether you lead a huge organization, a community group, a small team, yourself, a nation or a household, it’s always interesting to consider the qualities that make a great leader and why.
What Makes a Good Leader?
Good leaders are people who believe in their own potential and they can inspire others to do the same. They create an environment where everyone feels valued—and personal morale is high.
Of course, depending on ‘what’ you are leading, there will be different qualities and experience, however certain qualities such as honesty, integrity, knowledge, focus and confidence are generally considered to be characteristics of successful leaders.
Here are some short but inspiring quotes about leadership that will encourage you to be a better leader (or get inspired if you’re already leading):
Short Leadership Quotes
When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ Lao Tzu
A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit. Arnold H. Glasow
Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. Harold S. Geneen
People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. John C. Maxwell
Example is leadership. Albert Schweitzer
I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people. Mahatma Gandhi
People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives. Theodore Roosevelt
I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. Alexander the Great
Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front. Nelson Mandela
The greatest gift of leadership is a boss who wants you to be successful. Jon Taffer
Strong convictions precede great actions. James Freeman Clarke
If you command wisely, you’ll be obeyed cheerfully. Thomas Fuller
To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. Eleanor Roosevelt
No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it. Andrew Carnegie
Leadership is working with goals and vision; management is working with objectives. Russel Honore
The sharp employ the sharp. Douglas William Jerrold
Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see farther. J. P. Morgan
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. Peter Drucker
A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. Max Lucado
The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes. Tony Blair
Today a reader, tomorrow a leader. Margaret Fuller
Clarity affords focus. Thomas Leonard
The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. Ray Kroc
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples. Mother Teresa
The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership. Harvey S. Firestone
If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right. Henry Ford
Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing. Tom Peters
Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed. Mwai Kibaki
When placed in command, take charge. Norman Schwarzkopf
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Steve Jobs
Leadership does not depend on being right. Ivan Illich
Good management is the art of making problems so interesting and their solutions so constructive that everyone wants to get to work and deal with them. Paul Hawken
Doing is a quantum leap from imagining. Barbara Sher
The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been. Henry Kissinger
High expectations are the key to everything. Sam Walton
Leadership is not about the next election, it’s about the next generation. Simon Sinek
Leadership is not a popularity contest; it’s about leaving your ego at the door. The name of the game is to lead without a title. Robin S. Sharma
Don’t find fault, find a remedy. Henry Ford
A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason. J. P. Morgan
If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade. Tom Peters
In fair weather prepare for foul. Thomas Fuller
The cost of leadership is self-interest. Simon Sinek
A leadership culture is one where everyone thinks like an owner, a CEO or a managing director. It’s one where everyone is entrepreneurial and proactive. Robin S. Sharma
A leader is a dealer in hope. Napoleon Bonaparte
Leadership is a choice, not a position. Stephen Covey
A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Different times need different types of leadership. Park Geun-hye
Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them. John C. Maxwell
Leadership is hard. It’s a skill. It’s a technique. Jocko Willink
Leadership is about being a servant first. Allen West
You don’t lead by hitting people over the head – that’s assault, not leadership. Dwight D. Eisenhower
The real leader has no need to lead – he is content to point the way. Henry Miller
When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat. Ronald Reagan
Everything rises and falls on leadership. John C. Maxwell
Well, I think that – I think leadership’s always been about two main things: imagination and courage. Paul Keating
The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. Ralph Nader
There is no finish line to leadership. Julia Hartz
People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything. Thomas Sowell
Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far. Theodore Roosevelt
Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. Steve Jobs
Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out. Stephen Covey
Problems are only opportunities in work clothes. Henry J. Kaiser
Leadership is influence. John C. Maxwell
Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success. David Joseph Schwartz
Where there is no vision, there is no hope. George Washington Carver
For more inspiring words, be sure to check out:
- 60+ Inspiring Quotes About Strong Women
- Inspiring Integrity Quotes For The Workplace
- 32 Inspirational Quotes For Work
- 40 Motivational Quotes By Jim Rohn
