The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.
John BuchanRead
The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already.
Interpretation
Leadership involves drawing out the inherent greatness in individuals rather than trying to instill it from the outside.
John Buchan's quote emphasizes that true leadership is not about imposing greatness on individuals, but rather it is about recognizing and fostering the potential that already exists within them. This perspective shifts the focus of leadership from a top-down approach to one that encourages empowerment and self-discovery, suggesting that all individuals have the capacity for greatness waiting to be realized.
In practice
During a company meeting to inspire team members to realize their potential.
While you cannot deliver policies without principles, you cannot deliver principles without having power. You have quickly to move to a stage where, emphasising your principles, you build a programme, then call for popular support.
I was honored to have an opportunity to speak on August 28th, 1963.
Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult.
First of all, you've got to have a vision of 'What kind of program do I want to have?' Then you've got to have a plan to implement it. Then you've got to set the example that you want, develop the principles and values that are important, and get people to buy into it.
If the king refuses the constitution, I shall oppose him; if he accepts it, I shall defend him; and the day on which he gave himself up as my prisoner secured me more fully to his service than if he had promised me half his kingdom.
He walked down the corridor, lined with his soldiers, who looked at him with love, with awe, with trust. Except Bean, who looked at him with anguish. Ender Wiggin was not larger than life, Bean knew. He was exactly life-sized, and so his larger-than-life burden was too much for him. And yet he was bearing it. So far.
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