Leadership is liberating people to do what is required of them in the most effective and humane way possible.

Intimacy is at the heart of competence. It has to do with understanding, with believing, and with practice. It has to do with the relationship to one's work.

Earning trust is not easy, nor is it cheap, nor does it happen quickly. Earning trust is hard and demanding work. Trust comes only with genuine effort, never with a lick and a promise.

Leaders don't inflict pain - they share pain.

Innovation is the lifeblood of an organization. Knowing how to lead and work with creative people requires knowledge and action that often goes against the typical organizational structure. Protect unusual people from bureaucracy and legalism typical of organizations.

To be a leader means, especially, having the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who permit leaders to lead.

In most vital organizations, there is a common bond of interdependence, mutual interest, interlocking contributions, and simple joy.