“Saying you believe in yourself will not guarantee your success, but saying you don't believe in yourself will guarantee your failure.”

“Leaders have to grow into their roles, and if the role becomes more demanding, the leader has to keep growing. Leadership is never a right. It’s a privilege and a responsibility. But it’s one that is open to anyone who’s willing to work hard enough to get it.”

“Nothing is easier than saying words. Nothing is harder than living them day after day.”

“You cannot harvest life’s rewards without first planting seeds

“A good leader encourages followers to tell him what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear”

“Everything begins with a decision. Then, we have to manage that decision for the rest of your life.”

“Recently I had breakfast with Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, a fast food chain headquartered in the Atlanta area. I told him that I was working on this book and I asked him if he made thinking time a high priority. Not only did he say yes, but he told me about what he calls his “thinking schedule.” It helps him to fight the hectic pace of life that discourages intentional thinking. Dan says he sets aside time just to think for half a day every two weeks, for one whole day every month, and for two or three full days every year. Dan explains, “This helps me ‘keep the main thing, the main thing,’ since I am so easily distracted.” You may want to do something similar, or you can develop a schedule and method of your own. No matter what you choose to do, go to your thinking place, take paper and pen, and make sure you capture your ideas in writing.”

“The Cost and Expectation of Leadership Leviticus 7:33–35 Aaron, like many leaders throughout history, received a divine calling. God chose Aaron and his sons to serve as Israel’s priests and charged them with carrying out rituals and sacrifices on behalf of all Israelites. Scripture gives meticulous detail to their ordination and calling. Their conduct was to be beyond reproach—and God made it crystal clear that failure to uphold His established guidelines would result in death. Numerous accounts in the Book of Leviticus demonstrate the high cost and expectation that goes with a holy calling to leadership positions. As the high priest, Aaron was the only one authorized to enter the Most Holy Place and appear before the very presence of God. The Lord set Aaron apart for his holy work. Despite his high calling, Aaron struggled with his authority and later caved in to the depraved wishes of the people. He failed at a crucial juncture and led Israel in a pagan worship service, an abomination that led to the deaths of many Israelites. Aaron had been set apart for God’s service, but he chose to live and lead otherwise. The failure of a leader usually results in consequences far more grave than the fall of a non-leader. On the day Aaron failed, “about three thousand men of the people fell [died]” (Ex. 32:28). When leaders fail, followers pay the price.”

“It doesn’t matter how much milk you spill as long as you don’t lose your cow!”

“People don't care how much you know unless you know how much you care”

“Being heard is so close to being loved, that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.”

“Experience isn’t the best teacher—evaluated experience is.”

“If people are prepared to be flexible, keep an open mind and learn, they will grow richer and richer through the changes.”

“It’s a simple thing to offer encouragement, but it can have a tremendous effect on someone’s life.”

“Silent gratitude isn’t much good to anyone.”