The unsuccessful person is burdened by learning, and prefers to walk down familiar paths. Their distaste for learning stunts their growth and limits their influence.

I vividly remember a conversation I had many years ago in 1974, which marked a turning point in my leadership journey. I was sitting at a Holiday Inn with my friend, Kurt Campmeyer, when he asked me if I had a personal growth plan. I didn't. In fact, I didn't even know you were supposed to have one.

The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up.

People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential.

Good leaders must communicate vision clearly, creatively, and continually. However, the vision doesn't come alive until the leader models it.

Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.

Remember, man does not live on bread alone: sometimes he needs a little buttering up.

The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.

Positional leaders ignore the fact that every person has hopes, dreams, desires, and goals of his own. And leaders must bring their vision and the aspirations of the people they lead together in a way that benefits everyone.

A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential.

In the end, people are persuaded not by what we say, but by what they understand.

The best way a mentor can prepare another leader is to expose him or her to other great people.

Without failure there is no achievement.

Policies are many, Principles are few, Policies will change, Principles never do.

Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness.

Your attitude towards failure determines your altitude after failure.

People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.

A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.

Success comes to those who have an entire mountain of gold that they continually mine, not those who find one nugget and try to live on it for fifty years.

Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail. Deficiency in decision-making ranks much higher than lack of specific knowledge or technical know-how as an indicator of leadership failure.

For more than a decade, I led an organization that put on an elaborate Christmas program each December. It was a big production, with over 250 people participating in more than 20 performances. By the end of the season, everyone who participated was exhausted.

Learn to say 'no' to the good so you can say 'yes' to the best.

Talent grips us. We are overtaken by the beauty of Michelangelo's sculpture, riveted by Mariah Carey's angelic voice, doubled over in laughter by the comedy of Robin Williams, and captivated by the on screen performances of Denzel Washington.

As a leader, the first person I need to lead is me. The first person that I should try to change is me.

Failed plans should not be interpreted as a failed vision. Visions don't change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same, and are scrapped or adjusted as needed. Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan.

The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.

Most people don't like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings. For that reason, when good leaders prepare to take action or make changes, they take people through a process to get them ready for it.

The dreams and passions stored within hearts are powerful keys which can unlock a wealth of potential.

The best leaders are readers of people. They have the intuitive ability to understand others by discerning how they feel and recognizing what they sense.

Leadership is influence.

Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them.

Time is more valuable than money, because time is irreplaceable.