Unlike top management at Enron, exemplary leaders reward dissent. They encourage it. They understand that, whatever momentary discomfort they experience as a result of being told they might be wrong, it is more than offset by the fact that the information will help them make better decisions.

Trust is difficult to define, but we know when it's present and when it's not.

Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.

The learning person looks forward to failure or mistakes. The worst problem in leadership is basically early success.

Effective leaders make a full commitment to be a learner, to keep increasing and nourishing their knowledge and wisdom.

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

Every great group is an island... but an island with a bridge to the mainland.