Great leaders have and continue to impact communities, countries, and organizations. They combine enthusiasm, charisma, and strong directional sense enabling them to make focused and self-assured decisions even when the circumstances are complicated and uncertain. Truly, these leaders differ from the pack not just in their deeds but also through those timeless words of wisdom contained within brilliant inspirational quotes.
What are the qualities of great leaders?
They culminate several qualities and don’t merely hold higher ranks and respectable positions but are inspiring others by setting benchmarks that can be followed by others. Inspirational leadership training helps successful leaders show excellence and lay the foundation for breakthroughs while reinforcing the importance of honesty and integrity and developing strong camaraderie, connections, and trust.
History has given the world several great leaders who have been epitomes of inspiration. Their stories motivate others to achieve greater heights in personal and professional lives. Here are the 30 best motivational quotes by great leaders.
Inspirational quotes by renowned leaders
- “Earn your leadership everyday” – Michael Jordan
- “The beauty of empowering others is that your own power is not diminished in the process” – Andrew Carnegie
- “It’s hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse” – Adlai E. Stevenson II
- “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand” – Colin Powell
- “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say Thank You. In between, the leader is a servant” – Max Depree
- “A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind” – Nelson Mandela
- “A good leader is a person who takes little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit” – John Maxwell
- “The leaders who offer blood, toil, tears, and sweat always get more out of their followers than those who offer safety and a good time. When it comes to the pinch, human beings are hectic” – George Orwell
- “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others” – Jack Welch
- “Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations” – Peter Drucker
- “The led must not be compelled. They must be able to choose their own leader” – Albert Einstein
- “If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following, then you are just taking a walk” – Benjamin Hooks
- “The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude, be kind but not weak, be bold but not bully, be thoughtful but not lazy, be humble but not timid, be proud but not arrogant, have humor but without folly” – Jim Rohn
- “To do great things is difficult, but to command great things is more difficult” – Friedrich Nietzche
- “The beauty of empowering others is that your own power is not diminished in the process: – Andrew Carnegie
- “Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; Good leaders raise the bar for others; Great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar” – Orrin Woodward
- “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it is amazing what they can accomplish” – Sam Walton
- “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing” – Albert Schweitzer
- “If your actions create a legacy that inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader” – Dolly Parton
- “I am reminded how hollow the label of leadership sometimes is and how heroic followership can be” – Warren Bennis
- “A true leader is hated by most, and respected by all. A follower is liked by all, and respected by none” – Scott Smigler
- “Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership; always keep your word” – Brian Tracy
- “You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader” – Henry Ford
- “Rely on your own strength of body and soul. Take for your star self-reliance, faith, honesty, and industry. Don’t take too much advice – keep at the helm and steer your own ship, and remember that the great art of commanding is to take a fair share of the work. Fire above the mark you intend to hit. Energy, invincible determination with the right motive, are the levers that move the world” – Noah Porter
- “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it” – Theodore Roosevelt
- “In teamwork, silence isn’t golden. It’s deadly” – Mark Sanborn
- “Power isn’t control at all ~ power is strength, and giving that strength to others. A leader isn’t someone who forces others to make him stronger; a leader is someone willing to give his strength to others that they may have the strength to stand on their own” – Beth Ravis
- “Do you know that one of the greatest problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas” – Margaret Thatcher
- “Dealing with complexity is an inefficient and unnecessary waste of time, attention and mental energy. There is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple” – Edward de Bono
- “Nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” – Abraham Lincoln
Ready to become an inspirational leader who makes a lasting impact? Join Pragati Leadership‘s transformative leadership training program. Learn the essential qualities that great leaders possess, enhance your decision-making skills, and inspire others around you. Enroll Now
