“A leader is one who knows the way,
goes the way, and shows the way.”
– John C. Maxwell
Leaders are expected to make decisions, create strategies, solve problems, and most importantly motivating followers and team-mates. Leaders are required to use powerful and inspiring words to inspire his/her followers and launch them into action. At times leaders may also fall short or word and may require some inspiration for themselves.
We have handpicked 35 quotes for people from all walks of life. You will find leadership quotes from famous leaders, prominent female leaders, and also some funny leadership quotes. If you are an aspiring young leader, sportsperson even a student, then you will find these leadership sayings inspiring and motivating.
35 Powerful Leadership Quotes
Short Leadership Quotes
“Knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
– Rosa Parks, civil rights activist
Rosa Parks started one of the most significant movements in history by refusing to vacate the bus seat for a white passenger. Just a small gesture initiated nationwide movement “The Montgomery Bus Boycott.” A powerful short quote which motivated the biggest Civil Rights movement in the U.S.
“A gentle hand may lead even an elephant by a hair.”
– Iranian proverb
“If the townspeople are happy, look to the chief.”
– Liberian proverb
“One man can make a difference.”
– Anonymous
“Strive for progress not perfection.”
– Unknown
Trying to perfect at everything is a futile exercise. What you need is to put regular effort on your progress and keep going even when you make mistakes. These kinds of short leadership quotes communicate the mistakes that a leader must avoid.
“The master of the people is their servant.”
– Yemeni
“He that cannot obey, cannot command.”
– Ben Franklin
“He that cannot obey, cannot command.”
– Ben Franklin
Funny Leadership Quotes
Leaders need to have a little bit of humour in their kitty to keep the environment light. If you are not a humorous type, then these kinds of funny leadership quotes will help to create some laughs during stressful meetings.
“Some people say, ”Never let them see you cry.’ I say, if you are so mad you could just cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone.”
– Tina Fey
“First rule of leadership: everything is your fault.”
– A Bug’s Life
“The problem with being a leader is that you’re never sure if you’re being followed or chased.”
– Claire A. Murray
“The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on.”
– Robert Bloch
“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.”
– Japanese Proverb
“In my country, we go to prison first and then become President.”
– Nelson Mandela
Leadership Quotes by Great Leaders
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
– Warren Buffett, investor
“You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader.”
– Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
– Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc.
“True leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expresses. Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.”
– Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
– Mother Teresa
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
– John Quincy Adams, former U.S. President
“I am not afraid an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”
– Alexander the Great
“Never all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
– Abraham Lincoln, former U.S. President
“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a model of consensus.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Leadership Quotes for Students
“What you do has a far greater impact than what you say.”
– Stephen Covey
“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”
– Dale Carnegie
“If you don’t believe in yourself, why is anyone else going to believe in you.”
– Tom Brady
“Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.”
– John Maxwell
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
– Thomas A. Edison
“You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.”
– George Lorimer
Military Leadership Quotes
There is nothing more inspiring than a leader taking charge and leading his soldiers into the battle. Instead of telling your team to do a task, show them how to do it. We can learn a lot from military leadership quotes.
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”
– Norman Schwarzkopf
“Never give an order that can’t be obeyed.”
– General Douglas MacArthur
“A leader is a dealer in hope.”
– Napoleon Bonaparte
“Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality of a good leader.”
– General S. Patton
“Great powers don’t get angry; great powers don’t make decisions hastily in a crisis.”
– General John Allen
