A leader is someone whose actions have the most profound consequences on other people's lives, for better or worse, sometime forever and ever.

The crucible is a dividing line, a turning point, and those who have gone through it feel they are very different from the way they were before. Believing that they have been transformed or have transformed themselves, those who survive the crucible (and many don't) are more confident, more willing to take future risks. That new self-confidence is grounded in the belief that he or she has done something hard and done it well.

People in great groups have blinders on. Their work is all they see. They value failures as learning opportunities. They are optimistic, not realistic, as they proceed from one challenge and crisis to the next.

Leaders must encourage their organizations to dance to forms of music yet to be heard.

Growing other leaders from the ranks isn't just the duty of the leader, it's an obligation.

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.

All great leaders constantly seek new information and new ways of thinking.