The fact remains that we have an obligation to discover what we really, really, really want to do (which is probably what we do best) and then do it even better... much better.

You cannot learn very much about excellence from studying failure.

You will excel only by maximizing your strengths, never by fixing your weaknesses.

Too many companies waste time trying to eliminate their employees' weaknesses when, in fact, they should concentrate on developing their strengths.

CEOs hate variance. It's the enemy. Variance in customer service is bad. Variance in quality is bad. CEOs love processes that are standardized, routinized, predictable. Stamping out variance makes a complex job a bit less complex.

You shouldn't take pride in your natural talents any more than you should take pride in your sex, your race or color of your hair

The difference between a pebble and a mountain lies in whom you ask to move it.