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On Becoming a Leader

Warren Bennis Santa Monica, California November 1996

Patricia Ward Biederman • Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration

“Great leadership has many different attributes, but it starts with knowledge of a particular pursuit, because without the knowledge and mastery of that particular pursuit, I don’t think you have the authority to convey it with conviction to others. It usually is associated with an obsession, because to be a great leader, you have to be obsessed by

When you lead, your real job is to create more leaders, not more followers.

The Technium • 103 Bits of Advice I Wish I Had Known

Obama's career advice for young people -- Just learn how to get stuff done. What I mean by that is I've seen at every level people who are very good at describing problems, people who are very sophisticated at explaining why something went wrong or why something can't get fixed. But, what I’m always looking for is, no matter how small the probl... See more

That’s the first half of the lecture: the idea that true leadership means being able to think for yourself and act on your convictions.

JamesClear.com • "Solitude and Leadership"

I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.

Brene Brown • Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

In a controversial speech by Lee Kuan Yew who served as the Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 – 1990, he has a really great line about conviction: “I ignore polling as a method of government. I think that shows a certain weakness of mind, an inability to chart a course. Whichever way the wind blows. Whichever way the media encourages the pe... See more

former New York Governor Mario Cuomo once said, “Campaigning is poetry. Governing is prose.” Governing not only requires very different skills, it may also require different personnel. The very people who thrive on the electricity of a War Room may be ill equipped to handle the relentless routine that governing entails.