Innovation- any new idea-by definition will not be accepted at first. It takes repeated attempts, endless demonstrations, monotonous rehearsals before innovation can be accepted and internalized by an organization. This requires courageous patience.

Government is like an onion. To understand it, you have to peel through many different layers. Most outsiders never get beyond the first or second layer.

I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don't think that's quite it; it's more like jazz. There is more improvisation. Someone once wrote that the sound of surprise is jazz, and if there's any one thing that we must try to get used to in this world, it's surprise and the unexpected. Truly, we are living in world where the only thing that's constant is change.

Leaders know the importance of having someone in their lives who will unfailingly and fearlessly tell them the truth.

Charisma is the result of effective leadership, not the other way around.

The first job of a leader is to define a vision for the organization...the capacity to translate vision into reality.

Those who take risks walk the high wire with no fear of falling.