John C. Maxwell

Teamwork makes the dream work, but a vision becomes a nightmare when the leader has a big dream and a bad team.

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

Failed plans should not be interpreted as a failed vision. Visions don't change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same, and are scrapped or adjusted as needed. Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan.

Leadership is influence.

A minute of thought is greater than an hour of talk.

Your attitude towards failure determines your altitude after failure.

Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have.

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

People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.

A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential.

The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.

There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. 'Good pride' represents our dignity and self-respect. 'Bad pride' is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.

Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness.

Without failure there is no achievement.

If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives it — young or old, successful or less-than-successful, unknown or famous — is changed by it.

People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.

The best way a mentor can prepare another leader is to expose him or her to other great people.

Enjoyment is an incredible energizer to the human spirit.