Elon Musk

And give… give more credit to others and don’t assume they’re mean until you know they’re actually mean.

I think people should be nicer to each other

You don’t reward failure by promoting those responsible for it, because all you get is more failure.

The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.

I have a very simple rule when it comes to management: hire the best people from your competitors, pay them more than they were earning, and give them bonuses and incentives based on their performance. That’s how you build a first-class operation.

Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When errors occur, give sharper guidance. If errors persist or if the fit feels wrong, help them move on. The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House.

Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.

You do your job, you keep your job. Do it well, you get a better job.

Even as entrepreneurs, we rely on people to get things done. We may have the original idea, but moving it forward can involve hundreds of people. Every person becomes integral to the overall success.

The challenge of leadership is to create change and facilitate growth.

If you aspire to be a leader of your own country, you must speak your own language, for God’s sake.

A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.

The best leaders are humble enough to realize their victories depend upon their people.

A great leader has to be flexible, holding his ground on the major principles but finding room for compromises that can bring people together. A great leader has to be savvy at negotiations so we don’t drown every bill in pork barrel bridges to nowhere. I know how to stand my ground – but I also know that Republicans and Democrats need to find common ground to stand on as well.

The very essence of leadership is having vision.

In real life, if I were firing you, I’d tell you what a great job you did, how fantastic you are, and how you can do better someplace else. If somebody steals, that’s different, but generally speaking, you want to let them down as lightly as possible. It’s not a very pleasant thing. I don’t like firing people.

Rule a kingdom as though you were cooking a small fish – don’t overdo it.