Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

When looking for inspiration, whether for writing a new blog or for getting up in the morning, I often refer to quotes of proven leaders. Pound for pound the best value for time spent, quotes distill wisdom into bite-sized pieces that pass through my short attention span then expand in my conscious self, looking to pair up answers to “What does that mean to me?” or “How can I relate to that…”

Just last week while trying to convey a thought about urgency of creating and implementing a plan and perfection being the enemy of good, I melded a few quotes to get my point across to a team requiring inspiration without being frozen by a desire to have every detail worked out (often considered paralysis by analysis). A senior leader in the room felt the urge to “correct” my statement…to which I took no offense…until I looked up the actual quotes this week…and they are:

•George S. Patton, Jr. said “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”

•Vince Lombardi said “Perfection is not attainable but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”

So, since we are quoting the authors verbatim, I would like to convey additional thoughts through these demonstrated and heralded leaders. See if any resonate for you and if I get my point across.

•”Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

•”I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” – Stephen Covey

•”When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” -Henry Ford

•”Strive not to be a success but to be of value.” -Albert Einstein

•”I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou

•”Build your own dreams or someone will hire you to build theirs.” -Farrah Gray

•”The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is mere tenacity.” -Amelia Earhart

So, as I start my next chapter with sword in one hand and shovel in the other, plans in my head and prayers in my heart, I seek another opportunity for leadership, remembering:
•Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm. —Publilius Syrus

•The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly. —Jim Rohn

•Whatever you are, be a good one. —Abraham Lincoln

•The supreme quality of leadership is integrity. –Dwight Eisenhower

•The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men, the conviction and the will to carry on. —Walter Lippman

Have a blessed weekend!