I think of myself as living so much outside borders or old categories that I choose as my leaders U2, the Dalai Lama, Vaclav Havel, Sigur Ros, Desmond Tutu, Barack Obama, and the girl next door. By definition, in short, my leaders are the ones who think in terms larger, and more intimate, than any country.
Interpretation
True leadership transcends conventional boundaries and embraces a broader human connection.
In this quote, Pico Iyer expresses the idea that his vision of leadership is not confined to traditional figures of authority such as politicians or national leaders. Instead, he views leaders as individuals who inspire thought that is both expansive and personal—those who challenge the constraints of nationality and foster a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech on the importance of global unity and empathy in leadership.
Quitting, for me, means not giving up, but moving on; changing direction not because something doesn’t agree with you, but because you don’t agree with something. It’s not a complaint, in other words, but a positive choice, and not a stop in one’s journey, but a step in a better direction. Quitting-whether a job or a habit-means taking a turn so as to be sure you’re still moving in the direction of your dreams.
I think one reason, obviously, that I spend so much time in one place is that I've been lucky enough to travel a lot, and now there are other different, invisible trains that are more interesting to me.
I've never meditated in my life. I don't practice yoga nor any religion. I'm a tourist on the realm of stillness.
We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate.
I'm no Buddhist monk, and I can't say I'm in love with renunciation in itself, or traveling an hour or more to print out an article I've written, or missing out on the N.B.A. Finals. But at some point, I decided that, for me at least, happiness arose out of all I didn't want or need, not all I did.
The one thing perhaps that technology hasn't always given us is a sense of how to make the wisest use of technology.
For a while in my teens, I was sure I had it. It was about getting to heaven. If heaven existed and lasted forever, then a mere lifetime spent scrupulously following orders was a small investment for an infinite payoff. One day, though, I realized I was no longer a believer, and realizing that, I couldn't go back.
My belief is that "recluse" is a code word generated by journalists... meaning, "doesn't like to talk to reporters."
Words can be meaningless. If they are used in such a way that no sharp conclusions can be drawn.
Because the good old rule Sufficeth them,-the simple plan, That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can.
All moralistic judgments, whether positive or negative, are tragic expressions of unmet needs.
No policy that does not rest upon some philosophical public opinion can be permanently maintained.
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