You don't hire for skills, you hire for attitude. You can always teach skills.
Herb KelleherRead
To be an excellent leader, you have to be a superb follower.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A great leader understands the value of listening and following before leading.
This quote emphasizes that effective leadership is grounded in the ability to follow and learn from others. By recognizing the importance of being a good follower, a leader can develop greater empathy, understand team dynamics, and build trust within their organization. It suggests that the qualities of a leader are enhanced by humility and the willingness to support others.
Themes
LeadershipFollowingTeamworkTrustEmpathy
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting discussing project management techniques.
More from Herb Kelleher
All quotes →You [the employees] are involved in a crusade.
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If you're crazy enough to do what you love for a living, then you're bound to create a life that matters.
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We will hire someone with less experience, less education, and less expertise, than someone who has more of those things and has a rotten attitude. Because we can train people. We can teach people how to lead. We can teach people how to provide customer service. But we can't change their DNA.
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The business of business is people.
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If the employees come first, then they're happy. A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy so they keep coming back, which pleases the shareholders. It's not one of the enduring green mysteries of all time, it is just the way it works.
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I worked with Congress on legislation, gave speeches to CEOs, military generals and Hollywood executives. But I also worked to ensure that my efforts would resonate with kids and families - and that meant doing things in a creative and unconventional way. So, yeah, I planted a garden and hula-hooped on the White House lawn with kids.
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