Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.
Richard BransonComing up with the bucket list is the easy part, but ticking off the list is the challenge. I love a good challenge, which is why I strongly advise everyone to come up with a bucket list. It doesn't have to contain out of this world tasks. But once you have written down the list, screw it, just do it!
Richard BransonFun is at the core of the way I like to do business and it has been key to everything I've done from the outset.
Richard BransonI believe in goals. It's never a bad thing to have a dream. If something is really what you want to do, just do it. Whatever your goal.
Richard BransonHalf the art of ballooning is to make your crashes so gentle that you can fool yourself into calling them landings.
Richard BransonI think that being a business a leader that treads all over people to get to the top is actually not the way I think to become a successful business leader.
Richard BransonWhether we're fighting climate change or going to space, everything is moved forward by computers, and we don't have enough people who can code. Teaching young people to code early on can help build skills and confidence and energize the classroom with learning-by-doing opportunities. I learned how to fly a hot air balloon when I was 30,000 feet up and my life was in the balance: you can learn skills at any age but why wait when we can teach everyone to code now!
Richard BransonFun is one of the most important - and underrated - ingredients in any successful venture. If you're not having fun, then it's probably time to call it quits and try something else.
Richard BransonI like to take chances on people, and whenever possible, promote from within - it sends a great message to everyone in the company when someone demonstrates a passion for the job and leadership skills at every step along the way and is rewarded with a leadership role.
Richard BransonI've never sued anybody, though there have been one or two occasions I've wanted to strangle one or two people.
Richard BransonI’ve always had a soft spot for dreamers – not those who waste their time thinking ‘what if’ but the ones who look to the sky and say ‘why can’t I shoot for the moon?’
Richard BransonOur generation has inherited an incredibly beautiful world from our parents and they from their parents. It is in our hands whether our children and their children inherit the same world. We must not be the generation responsible for irreversibly damaging the environment.
Richard BransonRidiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won't make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa - and it's about getting a balance.
Richard BransonMy people are at the core of everything I do, and I recognize the importance of giving them the flexibility to balance work around their personal lives.
Richard BransonI was never, ever interested in becoming a businessman or an entrepreneur. If I was a businessman, or saw myself as a businessman, I would have never gone into the airline business.
Richard BransonThose people who spend their time working on things they love are usually the ones enjoying life the most. They are also the ones who dared to take a risk and chase their dreams.
Richard BransonI think it's important we continue to find new ways for start-up businesses to get access to funding, mentorship and business advice.
Richard BransonWe had an electrical fault about 500 miles into the trip and lost more than half our fuel. We had a fire on the roof. And missed Los Angeles by 3,500 miles at the end of the trip and ending up in the arctic in a snowstorm.
Richard BransonTHERE'S NO OTHER WAY to find out whether or not you'll be successful other than just doing it
Richard BransonI think great businessmen are more likely made than born. I don't know if it's from your upbringing, your parental background, the struggles you go through. In my own particular situation, I left school at 15 and I was struggling to survive in the jungle and that was a great education. So I think just getting out there, hands on, learning to survive teaches you a lot.
Richard BransonOver the years I have found one of my best strengths is my ability to recognise talent and trust them.
Richard BransonWhen you're first thinking through an idea, it's important not to get bogged down in complexity. Thinking simply and clearly is hard to do.
Richard BransonMy interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them.
Richard BransonPeople have to decide on priorities if they want to get anywhere. The best lessons I learned was to just do it.
Richard BransonWith all my employees, I listen to them, trust in them, believe in them, respect them and let them have a go! I never believe I know better than they do and have been fortunate over the years to build up a very strong management team whom I can trust and take advice from.
Richard BransonWhen employees tell you about their good ideas for the business, don't limit your response to asking questions, taking notes and following up. If you can, ask those people to lead their projects and take responsibility for them. From those experiences, they will then have built the confidence to take on more and you can take a further step back.
Richard BransonIt is not for me (to decide). It is up to the company to decide whether the price is fair or not.
Richard BransonI believe a good leader brings out the best in people by listening to them, trusting in them, believing in them, respecting them and letting them have a go.
Richard BransonWhether your sport of choice is running, cycling, kite surfing, etc. start moving and stay moving! It will give you energy and help you stay young.
Richard BransonBe authentic and organic. It can't be forced or it won't work. And most importantly, have fun.
Richard BransonIf somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes-then learn how to do it later!
Richard BransonI don't buy a lot of things. I like to create things. I've been lucky enough to be able to build my beautiful island in the Caribbean. I certainly haven't regretted that.
Richard BransonIt's so graceful to be blown by the wind, to go where the wind takes you. Just drifting over beautiful rivers in a balloon is perfect.
Richard BransonAs men, we all have something to give. We all have the power to do our own part to stop the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. It is holding us all back.
Richard BransonYou're offering a great service. People are tuning in. So continue to find great people, continue to do what you're doing. And do it better than your rivals. I know that's easier said than done.
Richard Branson