Warren Bennis Quotes

To rule is easy, to govern difficult.

Governance is a way of organizing, amplifying, and constraining power.

In the end, as a leader, you are always going to get a combination of two things: what you create and what you allow.

Being president is like running a cemetery: you've got a lot of people under you and nobody's listening.

The person who manages the state is me.

The fellow that has power is the one who uses it sparingly ... I had more power when I went into office than when I went out.

Power should be reserved for weightlifting and boats, and leadership really involves responsibility.

All leaders share something in common. They feel they are the only ones who can do the job.

In politics, as in business, leadership is crucial.

Those who enjoy responsibility usually get it; those who merely like exercising authority usually lose it.

The Prime Minister is head of team but its not a one woman act. I've been called all those things. Intellectual, sharp-tongued, all true. But what New Zealander is like is to know that someone is in charge and in the end the buck stops with the Prime Minister.

In a very real way, ownership is the essence of leadership. When you are 'ridiculously in charge,' then you own whatever happens in a company, school, et cetera.

Certainly I shall not be one of those who, having gained power, do not wish to use it.

We should understand the source of our authority and something of the keys that control its power.

Leadership is important in politics.

Taking power is fine. But what do you do when you are in power?

I am better when I have control. I am not a power freak. But my point is that I need to feel that I can manage the team and have a direct, clear line through to the owners. Once that becomes hazy, for me, there is a problem.

Every decision that affects our lives will be made by the person who has the power to make that decision, not the 'right' person or the 'smartest' person or the 'best' person. Make peace with this fact.

Consensus is a poor substitute for leadership.

It's so much easier to throw rocks than it is to govern.

It is a great matter to be in authority over others; for authority, if it be rightly used, will make you feared beyond your actual resources.

Gotta watch out for directors.

To govern is to choose. To appear to be unable to choose is to appear to be unable to govern.

Being a leader doesn't mean you are the guy who runs things.

I like control.