Leadership is about more than a title. A good leader can inspire their team and the world at large through their words and more importantly their actions.
Leadership quotes help to inspire you and they can even transform the way you think and feel about yourself and others. When you change the way you think, you can ultimately change the quality of your life.
There is only one thing you have control over in this life and that is your thoughts! Read these 30 leadership quotes and become inspired to change your thoughts and your life.
All leaders are not cut out of the same cloth. Some of them have said or written these words to create an undeniable impact.
Here are 30 of the best leadership quotes of all time:
Just because someone is classified as a leader doesn't mean that they can lead.
A true leader leads by example, not merely with words.
Making smart choices and taking responsibility for the results, good or bad, are the mark of a true leader.
Leadership is put to the test during times of crisis. How you carry yourself can inspire those around you.
As a leader your job becomes helping others by sharing your experience and wisdom to help them grow.
If your intent is egoless, you can make a difference.
A leader has focus, inspires, and works toward a goal.
This is one of my favorite leadership quotes. A good leader knows when to lead and when to step back. Letting your team explore and implement their ideas can build trust, skills, and confidence.
A good leader is both efficient and effective.
Again, a good leader gives a direction and a goal then gives their team the freedom to get there.
Your team looks to you for guidance, motivation, and knowledge. Be a great teacher.
Your team needs to know that you have their back and that you care, or they will stop producing.
Leadership is about working with your team to help them become their best.
The goal of a leader is to teach and inspire their team to excel through their actions. This is one of the most succinct leadership quotes on this list!
Leadership is best done in the background. Your job is to guide and inspire, then let your team do their thing.
A good leader is firm, but fair. The goal is to inspire and push your team to be the best that they can be.
Leadership is about what you do, not who gets the credit.
Even the best leaders feel fear. The key is to not let your team know it.
Anyone can be a leader by doing their best and setting a good example.
A good leader doesn't micromanage. They teach, inspire, and lead.
Those who think big and push for innovative ideas stand tall as visionaries.
These two quotes are related. A leader is an innovator, not a follower. They shape opinion and build consensus. They don't follow the herd, but lead the way.
Leadership is about inspiring people to be their best, not necessarily being the hero.
Leaders have the vision to succeed and the ability to inspire their team to achieve their goals.
A good leader is not only an excellent teacher. They are a diligent student!
Inspiration and hope are the two qualities every leader must possess.
To lead, you have to check your pride at the door.
A leader understands that they are there to help their team be their best.
Teaching the next generation of leaders is a big part of leadership.
Intelligence is the best guiding light for people who are leading teams.
Leaders believe in themselves, their vision, and their ability. They do what is necessary to seek out greatness in themselves and others. Here are some more key traits of top leaders:
Leaders not only know how to drive others to succeed; they also know how to drive themselves to get things done so that they may become successful as well.
via GIPHYSetting definite goals helps leaders stay motivated at all times. The motivation a leader has can directly impact and inspire their team.
Great leaders overflow with an abundance of positivity. The positive disposition they have is contagious and helps to inspire a positive mindset in others.
Stress and frustration are common things that come with leadership positions. Good leaders cannot allow themselves to let their emotions knock them off track.
Instead, they must have strong and stable emotions so they can continue on, even in difficult circumstances.
People are more likely to believe in you if you believe in yourself. This is why it is essential for leaders to have self-confidence that shines through.
via GIPHYOnly someone who exudes self-confidence can influence others and earn their respect.
Leaders often have to make decisions. Some of the decisions may be difficult and require a great deal of critical thinking.
They know how to make decisions, and they stick to their decisions because they are confident enough to believe they made the right choice.
Playing the blame game isn't something that true leaders do. Rather they take responsibility for their actions, tasks, and the results they get.
If a mistake is made, they remain accountable and admit their faults readily with little prodding from outside sources.
Passion is made up of expression, energy, and activity. Passion plays a part in the drive and zeal a leader has.
via GIPHYGood leaders are excited about what they are doing, and they express that passion in front of others.
In order to become a better leader, you must know what your leadership style is. Here are four common leadership styles for you to review so you know where you stand.
Autocratic leadership is a form of leadership where decisions are made by the leader alone. These leaders don't consider their teams' thoughts and opinions before making a decision or heading a new direction with training, processes, or otherwise.
An example of an autocratic leader is someone who changes the schedules of several employees without consulting anyone, let alone the affected employees.
This leadership type is not effective and is not recommended for organizations if they want to retain and empower their employees.
Democratic leadership is based on a leader that asks for the thoughts and opinions of staff members when making a decision or executing a project plan. The leader makes the final decision, of course, but they take other team members' viewpoints into consideration before doing so.
This is an effective leadership style because it encourages collaboration and prepares employees for future leadership positions they may take on.
via GIPHYLet's say there's a leader that has to make a decision about some new software for their team to use. A democratic leader will give the team a few options, and they'll have a discussion about it before a decision is made for new software to be implemented.
This is one of the least intrusive forms of leadership that can be effective in some instances. The translation of laissez-faire is "let them do," which means leaders who apply this style give a good amount of authority to their employees.
A good example of a laissez-faire leader would be a founder of a startup who doesn't make any rules, guidelines, or deadlines and puts full trust in his employees to get things done.
This type of leadership encourages trust, but it may fall short because it limits an employee's development and overlooks growth opportunities.
Leaders that adopt the strategic leadership style are often at a crossroads between growth opportunities for their company and daily operations.
This leader essentially accepts executive level interests while supporting lower-level employees to make sure the work environment is stable for them.
via GIPHYMany companies like this form of leadership because it supports a variety of employees at one time. However, this type of leadership can cause problems in regards to how many people a leader can actually support at one while maintaining a clear direction or stability.
These 30 leadership quotes can help to inspire you when you're feeling uninspired and can excite your team when their motivation is waning.
Looking to the words of other leaders in the form of leadership quotes can help you be a better, more compassionate leader while you stay focused on your goals.
And the more you know about your own leadership traits and your personal leadership style, the more prepared you are to elevate your team and drive success for your company.