Quotes from Jim Knight

Are you madly in love with your brand? If you are not completely gaga about the company, then why are you there?

Become a culture catalyst. While protecting the company's heritage, take bold risks that other people only dream about or are too scared to try.

A single leader with a great idea can start a cultural revolution.

Hire diverse but like-minded people. An inclusive workforce engaged in a shared mission fosters better, more creative solutions to problems, leading to sustainable growth.

Get in the game. Regardless of your leadership level, real culture change only happens by thinking differently, acting on those new ideas and fearlessly defending the decisions later.

Hard work isn't just a means to an end—it's an obsession.

Part of a leader's groundwork is in honing work ethic.

Be obsessed about results. Combine passion, commitment and a hard work ethic with thinking fast, creating alternatives and marshaling resources to achieve results.

Seek out incremental wins. Instead of immediately revolutionizing the company, start small and crush a few things first; once you've earned trust, you will garner bigger responsibilities and influence.

If you hate change, then you're really going to hate extinction.

Defend organizational change. Inevitable resistance can be mitigated if the change is carefully discussed, planned, embraced, communicated and ultimately defended.

Align the team. Because employee behaviors collectively produce company results, you must understand, advocate for and communicate a clear direction across the company; get everyone singing off the same song sheet.

There's a time to be humble and a time to "bring the thunder".

Practice humility. Shine a light on others, give teammates the credit, volunteer to help, take accountability, seek out feedback, ask others for their opinion, truly listen to people and be open to having your mind changed.

Bring the thunder. Some situations require extra inspiration and motivation to influence others; during those moments, act with fierce bravado.

Mentorship is Instrumental.

Mentorship is the greatest level of leadership maturity there is.

Embrace mentorship. Rely on others to assist you, provide feedback, challenge your thinking and celebrate you; this is one of the greatest growth paths for leaders.

Create your inner circle. Identify four to five irreplaceable, intentional mentors in your life and formally develop those relationships; choose people who already have a vested interest in your success.

If securing some mentors and being one yourself are not already on your leadership list of things to do, let's get at it. It's too important for your career to ignore.

Don't wait to be reminded to focus on your own development.

Leaders have the power to light up or extinguish the cultural flame of a company.

Be the accelerant. You have the power to light up the cultural flame of the company. It's not going to happen because of programs, processes, tools, branding or the product itself; focus on the culture and light it up!

Own the place. Act as if you started (or own) the business; this will create added focus, commitment, inspiration and guidance to crafting the right culture.