Overcoming complacency is crucial at the start of any change process, and it often requires a little bit of surprise, something that grabs attention at more than an intellectual level. You need to surprise people with something that disturbs their view that everything is perfect.

Effective leaders help others to understand the necessity of change and to accept a common vision of the desired outcome.

Great leaders motivate large groups of individuals to improve the human condition.

The central issue is never strategy, structure, culture, or systems. The core of the matter is always about changing the behavior of people.

Commercial organisations that operate responsibly have benefitted by increased revenues of 682% compared to 166% for those that don't

This is true even in organizations that are very focused on analysis and quantitative measurement, even among people who think of themselves as smart in an MBA sense. In highly successful change efforts, people find ways to help others see the problems or solutions in ways that influence emotions, not just thought.

Valued achievements connect to people at a deeper level—and a deeper level can change behavior that is generally very difficult to change.