If we inspire people, they will give us more than we asked for. If we manipulate them, they will give us exactly what we paid for

The world is a bell curve. Classroom test scores, employee performance in a company or how many people really, really like you. No matter the population you're studying, they always fit neatly across the standard deviations of the famous bell curve.

Starbucks was founded around the experience and the environment of their stores. Starbucks was about a space with comfortable chairs, lots of power outlets, tables and desks at which we could work and the option to spend as much time in their stores as we wanted without any pressure to buy. The coffee was incidental.

Quality effective leaders have the confidence to trust others to try, succeed, and sometimes to fail.

Trust doesn't develop from always doing the right thing. Trust comes from taking responsibility when we do the wrong thing.

A true friend is someone with whom protocol is no longer necessary.

All the perks, all the benefits and advantages you may get for the rank or position you hold, they aren’t meant for you. They are meant for the role you fill. And when you leave your role, which eventually you will, they will give the ceramic cup to the person who replaces you. Because you only ever deserved a Styrofoam cup.