Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.
Interpretation
Choose to associate with individuals who are dedicated and serious about their work yet maintain a sense of humor and balance in life.
This quote by Colin Powell emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with people who are committed and passionate about their work. However, it also underscores the value of joy and lightheartedness, suggesting that individuals who can balance seriousness with playfulness foster a positive and productive environment.
In practice
During a team meeting, I shared this quote to inspire collaboration and lightheartedness amongst the team.
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. I am talking about a gung-ho attitude that says 'we can change things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best. 'Spare me the grim litany of the 'realist;' give me the unrealistic aspirations of the optimist any day.
One of the fondest expressions around is that we can't be the world's policeman. But guess who gets called when suddenly someone needs a cop.
Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.
If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.
High-quality early-childhood programs and health coverage have expanded, and the number of mentoring relationships for at-risk youth has risen dramatically. That progress is encouraging, but it's not evenly distributed.
As I've thought about gay marriage, I don't see any reason not to say that [couples] should be able to get married.
In the Han Dynasty, Xiang_x000D_ Yu was very brave and won_x000D_ many battles, but in the end_x000D_ he failed. Treat people with_x000D_ sincerity and build a good_x000D_ organization. Otherwise, it_x000D_ doesnβt matter how famous _x000D_ or how capable you are.
I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.
Most discussions of decision making assume that only senior executives make decisions or that only senior executives' decisions matter. This is a dangerous mistake.
I know that the right kind of leader for the Labour Party is a desiccated calculating machine who must not in any way permit himself to be swayed by indignation. If he sees suffering, privation or injustice he must not allow it to move him, for that would be evidence of the lack of proper education or of absence of self-control. He must speak in calm and objective accents and talk about a dying child in the same way as he would about the pieces inside an internal combustion engine.
You know, a football coach is nothing more than a teacher. You teach them the same subject, and you have a group of new guys every year.
It may seem odd to talk about something as soft and fuzzy as "passion" as an integral part of a strategic framework. But throughout the good-to-great companies, passion became a key part of the Hedgehog Concept.
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