In the most innovative companies there is a significantly higher volume of thank yous than in companies of low innovation.

Too many people let others stand in their way and don't go back for one more try.

Peter Drucker being one of the most important influences because he has helped to think differently about organizational leadership and management. Frankly, I learn something of value from everyone I meet. My Harvard colleagues. My students. The executives I work with. For an eager student, which is what I am, there is so much to be learned from everyday experiences. I'm a sponge. Always will be.

The most radical thing we can do is connect people to one another. That starts conversations toward a vision for change.

"Leadership" is a big topic today. We know that the world - nations and communities in addition to companies - needs more and better leaders. So I wanted to explore how leaders make a difference, how they can shift a negative cycle, turn around a losing organization, propel a team to victory when conditions aren't perfect. I saw that what leaders do is build confidence in advance of victory. Then the confidence they produce makes the hope of success turn into the reality of success, because people behave differently when they are surrounded by a culture of confidence.

Powerlessness corrupts: absolute powerlessness corrupts absolutely.

The goal of winning is not losing two times in a row.