Quotes from Warren Bennis

The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.

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.

People who cannot invent and reinvent themselves must be content with borrowed postures, secondhand ideas, fitting in instead of standing out.

Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work.

Specialized management courses are useful but should come well after the complexity of management and business are understood.

Find the appropriate balance of competing claims by various groups of stakeholders. All claims deserve consideration but some claims are more important than others.

Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.

What makes a good follower The single most important characteristic may well be a willingness to tell the truth. In a world of growing complexity leaders are increasingly dependent on their subordinates for good information, whether the leaders want to hear it or not. Followers who tell the truth and leaders who listen to it are an unbeatable combination.

Create a compelling vision, one that takes people to a new place, and then translate that vision into a reality.

Leaders should always expect the very best of those around them. They know that people can change and grow.

The primary goal of management education was, as originally conceived, to impart knowledge that could be applied to a variety of real-world business situations.

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.