Jeff Ament Quotes

With Pearl Jam, everybody is so good at what they do, it's hard to get up the courage to say, 'Can I sing this part,' or, 'I want to play guitar.'

When we first started, and I jumped in this band, I was like, 'I'm not a singer.' I didn't go to school to sing. I just played to have fun. But these guys teach me, and they show me stuff and give me courage to try new stuff.

As a leader, these attributes - confidence, perseverance, work ethic and good sense - are all things I look for in people. I also try to lead by example and create an environment where good questions and good ideas can come from anyone.

I've always been a leader. Every team I've played on, I've led my way.

I was a general business major, which meant that in any business school and particularly at Smith School, which is a very good school, you do a lot of team projects. Well I was the guy who gave the presentations for the team projects.

I believe that no matter what you do in life, if you learn the basics through theater, it will help you in everything else - problem solving, communication, discipline, all of that stuff.

I might come across like kind of a show-off onstage and stuff, but I like collaborating with people.

Working with people is what I like to do. I don't feel intimidated. I always go in prepared. When you're not prepared, that's when you feel uncomfortable.

I think that I've learned to relax, and trust in and hire very talented people, and trust in their abilities a little more.

Most bands don't work out. A small unit democracy is very, very difficult.

A good director has to be a captain - he has to work with a lot of people every day.

I've always been a good ensemble player.

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

I know my strong points: I work hard, I have talent, I'm funny, and I'm a good person.

There are a lot of people who would laugh at the idea of me being a good singer.

I'll practice as good as I can, but I know that I play even better, with the qualities I have - leadership, my ability to make something happen in games, winning.

I'm always gonna be all over my CD the most, of course. My talent is my talent. I ain't really tripping off no ego; I just like to make good music with good people.

I think a good director is a good listener.

It's getting better and better. You know, guys are feeling more comfortable and they are not afraid to speak up and be a leader. I mean, our team, we have 25 players, we have about 25 leaders, too. So whatever someone says, people listen.

I think that the climate within the band has changed, it's now in a more functional situation.

I think one of the keys to leadership is recognizing that everybody has gifts and talents. A good leader will learn how to harness those gifts toward the same goal.

Being in a band is a really magical thing because you've got a family and you operate as this one entity. It's very democratic; everyone is involved in the output. But within that, there can be a lot of disagreements and strife.

How do you make people do the best work? You make them feel comfortable, so you can feel comfortable - and then you can have a really good ballgame!

Somebody said, 'You may be a committee chair.' I don't think so. I don't think anybody would want me that much.

I'm pretty good with not being afraid to just go up to people and introduce myself.