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.
Warren G. BennisRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Excellence teaches more valuable lessons than mediocrity, as true insights arise from studying exceptional examples.
In this quote, Warren G. Bennis emphasizes that while ordinary experiences and mediocrity offer many lessons, they pale in comparison to the insights gained from striving for excellence. It suggests that to truly learn and grow, one should seek out and study examples of excellence, as they provide profound and original lessons that can elevate understanding and skill beyond the average.
Themes
ExcellenceMediocrityLearningInsightEducation
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about striving for greatness.
More from Warren G. Bennis
All quotes βLeaders must encourage their organizations to dance to forms of music yet to be heard.
Warren G. BennisRead
To be authentic is literally to be your own author... to discover your own native energies and desires, and then to find your own way of acting on them.
Warren G. BennisRead
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
Warren G. BennisRead
Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work.
Warren G. BennisRead
People who cannot invent and reinvent themselves must be content with borrowed postures, secondhand ideas, fitting in instead of standing out.
Warren G. BennisRead
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