"A staff officer who worked with Grant said 'The whole man was a marvel of simplicity, a powerful nature veiled in the plainest possible exterior.' " A staff officer in the book Grant by Jean Edward Smith
"Always be nice to the people who can't talk back to you. I can't stand a man or woman who bawls out underlings to satisfy an ego." Harry Truman, (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953)
"Be not afraid of greatness, Some are born great, Some achieve greatness, and Some have greatness thrust upon them." William Shakespeare, 26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616)[nb 1] was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. This quote is from Twelfth Night (Shared by ODS Mr. Ego, Wil, 11/7/08)
"Exemplary leaders are approachable; they don't get touchy and fly off the handle; they never let minor problems poison their outllook; they sandwich every slice of criticism between two layers of praise." On the Right Note, May 1, 2007
"Good leaders: (a) are consistent; they set an example by 'walking the walk,' so everyone knews that what's heard at the bottom is first practiced at the top; (b) constantly express their appreciation, realizing people need to know they're an important part of the team; (c) always listen to suggestions, opinions, fears and ideas without pre-judging or being dismissive." On the Right Note, May 2, 2007
"He was incontestably the greatest man I have ever known." Ulysses S. Grant talking about Abraham Lincoln - Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant; (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American soldier, politician, and international statesman who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. During the American Civil War, General Grant, with President Abraham Lincoln, led the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy.
"He was no liar, he was not bloody and cruel . . . ; in anger and passion he was soon reclaimed; easy to be reconciled towards such as had offended him; [he] ruled by reason in such measure as he would not scorn the advice of mean men; and . . . he governed his men better with few strokes, than others did with many; truly loving where he loved." Hobbamock, Pokanoket pniese speaking about Massosoit - died in 1642
"I do not think it would have been possible for Grant to have told a lie, even if he had composed it and written it down." Hamilton Fish (August 3, 1808 – September 7, 1893) was an American politician who served as the 16th Governor of New York from 1849 to 1850, a United States Senator from New York from 1851 to 1857 and the 26th United States Secretary of State from 1869 to 1877. Fish is recognized as the "pillar" of the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant and considered one of the best U.S. Secretaries of State by scholars, known for his judiciousness and efforts towards reform and diplomatic moderation.
"I never could believe that Providence had sent a few men into the world, ready booted and spurred to ride, and millions ready saddled and bridled to be ridden." Richard Rumbold, a soldier of Oliver Cromwell's
"I shall stop with this gratuitous advice. Listen to your conscience. Don't be afraid not to join the mob - if you feel it's wrong. Don't confuse being 'soft' with seeing the other guy's point of view." George H.W. Bush wrote these words to his son, George W. Bush. George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) is an American politician who was the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 and the 43rd Vice President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A member of the U.S. Republican Party, he was previously a congressman, ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence. George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who was the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 and 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.
"I'm just a plow-hand . . . but I've learned how to hold a team together; how to lift some men up, how to calm others down, until . . . they've got one heartbeat. There are just 3 things I say: If something goes bad, I did it; if it goes semi-good, we did it; if it goes really good, you did it!" Paul William "Bear" Bryant, (September 11, 1913 – January 26, 1983) was an American college football player and coach.
"It is the part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it." Latin proverb
"It's almost impossible for people to pat you on the back when you're throwing your weight around." Unknown
"Lead from the front or get the hell out of the way." A drill instuctor at Officer Candidate School
"Leadership has a harder job to do than just choose sides. It must bring sides together." Jesse Jackson, American civil rights ativist, Baptist minister, and politician
"Leadership must be demonstrated, not announced." Fran Tarkenton, (born February 3, 1940) is a former NFL quarterback, television personality, and computer software executive.
"Leadership through character is placed at the heart of the officer's duty." First paragraph of The Armed Forces Officer in 1950
"Managers light a fire under people; leaders light a fire in people." Kathy Austin, management consultant
"Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it." Dwight D. Eisenhower, (1890–1969), US general and 34th president of the US 1953–61
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but it you want to test a man's character, give him power."Abraham Lincoln, (1809–65), 16th president of the US 1861–65
"No man who ever held the office of President would congratulate a friend on obtaining it." John Adams, (1735–1826), 2nd president of the US 1797–1801
"Nothing grows under the shadow of a great tree." Randolph Churchill, son of Winston Churchill
"Nothing intoxicates
some people like a sip of authority." Unknown
"Of all the men I have met, he seemed to possess more of the elements of greatness, combined with goodness, than any other." William Tecumseh Sherman about Abraham Lincoln -William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91), US general. In 1864, during the Civil War, he was appointed commander of Union forces in the West.
"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish." Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart
"People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and to defy glamor are not fit to be Ministers in times of stress." Winston Churchill, (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British statesman who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.
"Pull it, and it follows wherever you want it to go. But push it, and it goes nowhere." Dwight D. Eisenhower, (1890–1969), US general and 34th president of the US 1953–61- He used to demonstrate the art of leadership in a simple but forceful way. He would place a single piece of string on a table and deliver this statement.
"Remember all men would be tyrants if they could." Daniel Defoe, (c. 1660 – 24 April 1731), born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy, most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, as quoted by Abigail Adams, (1744–1818), US first lady 1797–1801
"The best leader is the one who has sense to pick good people to do what he or she wants done, and enough self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it." Theodore Roosevelt, (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as TR, was an American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist, and reformer who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909.
"The best leaders are very often the best listeners. They have an open mind. They are not interested in having their own way but in finding the best way." Wilfred Arlan Peterson, (1900–1995) was an American author who wrote for This Week magazine (a national Sunday supplement in newspapers) for many years.
The measure of a truly great man is the courtesy with which he treats lesser men. Unknown
"There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and there is nothing so gentle as real strength." Francis de Sales (Which de Sales is this? An actor or priest?)
"Those under his command were devoted to him - to his erudition, his wit, his idealism, his sense of fair play." (Author George Howe Colt writing in The Big House about his grandfather Henry Francis Colt)
"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader." W. Fusselman (Little is known of W. Fusselman. It's believed this male was a student at West Orange Essex County Vocational School in 1926 when a teacher, Max S. Henig, sent in 43 library slogans from his students to the Neward Public Library.)
"When eagles are silent the parrots begin to jabber." Winston Churchill, (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British statesman who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.
"When the moon is not full, the stars shine more brightly." Buganda People of Uganda
"Your position never gives you the right to command. It only imposes on you the duty of living your life that others can receive your orders without being humiliated." Dag Hammarskjold, (29 July 1905 – 18 September 1961) was a Swedish diplomat, economist, and author. The second Secretary-General of the United Nations, he served from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in September 1961.
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