Stephen R. Covey

If you’re proactive, you don’t have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own.

Live out of your imagination, not your history.

As a principle-centered person you try to stand apart from the emotion of the situation and from other factors that would act on you, and evaluate the options. Looking at the balanced whole–the work needs, the family needs, the other needs that may be involved, and the possible implications of the various alternatives — you’ll try to come up with the best solution taking all factors into consideration. We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations.

Seek first to understand and then to be understood.

It’s easy to say no! when there’s a deeper yes! burning inside.

Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconcious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character

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

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.

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

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be responsible. Give them authority and hold them accountable. Trying to do too much yourself creates a bottleneck.

Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.

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.

Don’t blame the boss. He has enough problems.

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.

I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

When the leader lacks confidence, the followers lack commitment.

Everything rises and falls on leadership.

If you wouldn’t follow yourself, why should anyone else?

Leaders, true leaders, take responsibility for the success of the team, and understand that they must also take responsibility for the failure.

As a leader, the first person I need to lead is me. The first person that I should try to change is me.