Tom Peters Quotes

The topic of leadership is a touchy one. A lot of leaders fail because they don't have the bravery to touch that nerve or strike that chord. Throughout my years, I haven't had that fear.

I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.

Leadership is one of sports' intangibles. Guys can score, guys can fight, guys can skate faster than anybody else. But not everybody can say, 'Follow me.'

We need a leader able to project his or her personality and present our policies in today's media environment. All this is true - but we also need a leader capable of building a team, inspiring loyalty from colleagues, and one genuinely open to ideas.

All good leaders are connectors. They relate well and make people feel confident about themselves and their leader.

The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.

There are good leaders who actively guide and bad leaders who actively misguide. Hence, leadership is about persuasion, presentation and people skills.

Stories are the single most powerful tool in a leader's toolkit.

The great leaders are like the best conductors - they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.

Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.

I never saw myself as an individual who had any particular leadership powers.

Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.

Managers will tell people what to do, whereas leaders will inspire them to do it, and there are a few things that go into the ability to inspire.

I know how to lead people; I know how to make people love me.

A person of definite character and purpose who comprehends our way of thought is sure to exert power over us. He cannot altogether be resisted; because, if he understands us, he can make us understand him, through the word, the look, or other symbol, which both of us connect with the common sentiment or idea; and thus by communicating an impulse he can move the will.

Ninety percent of leadership is the ability to communicate something that people want.

The essence of leadership is responding to human need.

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

Zidane is a leader in the dressing room. His personality is going to make him very successful.

When I look at a leader, I look at someone who is able to get exceptional performance out of others.

People learn to lead because they care about something.

Yes, in all my research, the greatest leaders looked inward and were able to tell a good story with authenticity and passion.

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.

Being a manager is about getting into the minds of the people you represent.

Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.