Leader Traits Quotes

To be a great leader, you firstly have to like people. If you don't like people, at the end of the day they will figure this out and you can't lead them too well.

[President Truman] was free of the greatest vice in a leader, his ego never came between him and his job.

Good leaders need to be able to connect to all of those around them. This is especially true at Whole Foods, where we have a very team-oriented culture.

Leadership doesn't come from age.

The best leaders adapt and are flexible with their situations. I try to be the same.

The quality of a good leader therefore is his vision, tenacity, and his capability.

I like guts in my leaders.

Military leaders aren't made. They are born. To be a good leader, you have to have something in your character to cause people to follow you.

Likable leaders truly believe that everyone, regardless of rank or ability, is worth their time and attention. They make everyone feel valuable because they believe that everyone is valuable.

A real leader does not rely on consensus. He builds consensus.

People will not follow a leader who does not have confidence in himself.

Great leaders don't need to act tough. Their confidence and humility serve to underscore their toughness.

Good leaders have a generosity gene.

I believe that women make some of the best leaders.

Our offices must always be headed by the kind of men who command respect. Not phonies, zeros or bastards.

Only a few good leaders have paused to reflect seriously on being leaders.

Most great leaders in history that I've studied always need to get as wide a range of opinions as possible so that they can have sufficient information to make the right decisions.

If you want to be a leader whom people follow with absolute conviction, you have to be a likable leader. Tyrants and curmudgeons with brilliant vision can command a reluctant following for a time, but it never lasts. They burn people out before they ever get to see what anyone is truly capable of.

You can judge a leader by the size of the problem he tackles - people nearly always pick a problem their own size, and ignore or leave to others the bigger or smaller ones.

Leadership means making people feel good.

I don't think you just become a leader.

...perhaps the most distinguishing trait of visionary leaders is that they believe in a goal that benefits not only themselves, but others as well. It is such vision that attracts the psychic energy of other people, and makes them willing to work beyond the call of duty for the organization.

Presidential candidates don't chew gum.

Governor Romney has a record of tremendous accomplishments. But he never asks for accolades. He just asks, 'How can I help?' That's the mark of a true leader: A humble focus on getting the job done.

I like my leaders smart and serious. I don't need a stand-up comic.