First and foremost, effective leaders must continuously strive to make themselves smarter and better at making judgments.

Perhaps the central task of the leader of leaders thus becomes the development of other leaders.

The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.

Without character, there is no credibility; and without credibility, there is no trust.

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.

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

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