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

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

Every one of the geezers who continues to play a leadership role has one quality of overriding importance: neotony. The dictionary definition is that neotony, a zoological term, involves "the retention of youthful qualities throughout old age." It is more than merely retaining a youthful appearance, although that is often part of it. Neotony is the retention of all those wonderful qualities that we associate with youth: curiosity, playfulness, eagerness, fearlessness, warmth, energy.

The basis of leadership is the capacity of the leader to change the mindset, the framework of the other person.

If I were to give off-the-cuff advice to anyone trying to institute change, I would say, "How clear is the metaphor?"

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.