Power lies in the details, and the tenacious pursuit of such hidden levers can pay off enormously. While you don't want to get a reputation as a prissy worrywart, worrying about the details in private is important. You may think you are the world's greatest speaker, but if the auditorium's sound system is singing static - well, forget it.

The principal reason, invariably, most "successful" giant companies rather quickly become also-rans, or just amorphous blobs on the competitive landscape, is their failure to re-tool in anything like a fundamental way. In fact, the worse things get, typically, the more they dig in their heels and defend yesterday's turf.

Leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders.

Confidence means non-paralysis, a willingness to act, and act decisively, to start new things and cut failing ventures off.

What you decide not to do is probably more important that what you decide to do.

We cannot innovate without opening the door to havoc.

Organizations exist to serve. Period. Leaders live to serve. Period.