To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Hereafter, if you should observe an occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault than you can justly be charged with, you will only become the sooner for it, a great captain.
Interpretation
Praising others and taking responsibility can enhance your leadership qualities.
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of others and accepting responsibility for mistakes. By giving praise generously and acknowledging one’s own faults, a leader can foster a positive environment, build stronger relationships, and ultimately gain respect and admiration as a great captain or leader.
In practice
In a speech to motivate new leaders at a conference.
To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.
He'll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Let honesty and industry be thy constant companions, and spend one penny less than thy clear gains; then shall thy pocket begin to thrive; creditors will not insult, nor want oppress, nor hungerness bite, nor nakedness freeze thee
I think that a young state, like a young virgin, should modestly stay at home, and wait the application of suitors for an alliance with her; and not run about offering her amity to all the world; and hazarding their refusal. Our virgin is a jolly one; and tho at present not very rich, will in time be a great fortune, and where she has a favorable predisposition, it seems to me well worth cultivating.
Those in leadership positions who fail to grasp or use the power of stories risk failure for their companies and for themselves.
The reason we are here is thinking, 'What can we do to make this club a better club?' I don't want the guys to think about what the club can do for them.
When you are a people's movement, you have one thing. Your only asset is people. And you have to deal with real people. Not the people of your imagination. Not the people you wish people would be. But people as they exist actually out there in the real world.
Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It's about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others' success, and then standing back and letting them shine.
Members of great teams confront each other when they see something that isn't serving the team.
My place in history will depend on what I can do for the people and not on what the people can do for me.
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