Being Inspired by Quotes…And Other Words of Wisdom

I often reflect on quotes that I have heard over the years and found that many have inspired me to become a better person and leader. Some quotes are written by famous authors and poets, while others come from everyday people who have a strong message they want to communicate… like the one my mother always said to me when I acted up as a child: “I brought you into this world, I can take you out.” OK, maybe that was more of a threat instead of a quote.
I thought it would be interesting to share with you a few quotes that for various reasons helped guide and shape the way I approach business, education, people and life.

“A goal is a dream with a deadline”, Napoleon Hill- I have learned the importance of not only setting personal and professional goals for myself (no more New Year’s resolutions!), but being specific on how and what I need to do to achieve them.

"When people show you who they are, believe them." - Maya Angelou. This is a good reminder to judge people on their actions and not merely on their words.

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. -Peter F. Drucker. There is an age- old question that has been debated for many years: Is there a difference between leading and managing? Depending on whom you ask, you will get a variety of answers in support of both. But for me, leading people and helping them find their way is more effective than telling them how to do things the way I think they should be done.

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand. - General Colin Powell. When I was in the military, there was an acronym I must have heard every single day during training; K.I.S.S, which stands for many things depending on who is saying it. Keep it short and simple, Keep it short and sweet or my favorite yelled many times by my drill sergeants; Keep it simple, stupid! Life does not have to be as complicated as we sometimes make it.

Like me, many people have been influenced by the power of words and wisdom passed down to them from others, so I ask you: What quotes have inspired you and how?