Embrace change as an opportunity to learn, to improve, to make a difference in others' lives as well as in your own. Have the courage to challenge the status quo. Remember that preparation and ambition in combination with opportunity equals success. And have fun!

People who are making decisions about the future often don't have access to some of the best ideas in the company, which may be at the periphery or at lower levels.

A great thinker once described innovative thinkers this way: "Some men see things as they are and say, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were and say, 'Why not?'" Innovative thinkers are constantly asking questions such as these. How can we improve recruiting, hiring and training. How can be add greater value to our products and services by making them even better? How can we do more to nourish the personal as well as professional development of our people? What more can we do as a good citizen where we do business?

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

Power is America's last dirty word. It is easier to talk about money - and much easier to talk about sex - than it is to talk about power.

Everything looks like a failure in the middle. In neary every change project, doubt is cast on the original vision because problems are mounting and the end is nowhere in sight.

The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster.