With leadership the question at the beginning of the day is, 'how far can we take this...how big can we grow it...and how fast can we get there?'
Interpretation
Effective leadership focuses on growth and speed in achieving goals.
This quote by Jack Welch emphasizes the critical mindset of leadership that is geared towards ambitious growth and rapid progress. It reflects the importance of setting high expectations and striving for significant achievements, urging leaders to constantly evaluate their potential and the pace at which they can advance their objectives.
In practice
In a business meeting, if you're discussing future projects, this quote could inspire the team to think bigger.
You've got to eat while you dream. You've got to deliver on short-range commitments, while you develop a long-range strategy and vision and implement it. The success of doing both. Walking and chewing gum if you will. Getting it done in the short-range, and delivering a long-range plan, and executing on that.
I wanted to change the rules of engagement, asking for more- from fewer. I was insisting that we had to have only the best people...If you wanted excellence, at a minimum, the ambience had to reflect excellence.
A leader's role is not to control people or stay on top of things, but rather to guide, energize and excite.
Control your own destiny or someone else will.
The idea flow from the human spirit is absolutely unlimited. All you have to do is tap into that well. I don't like to use the word efficiency. It's creativity. It's a belief that every person counts.
An overburdened, overstretched executive is the best executive, because he or she doesn't have the time to meddle, to deal in trivia, to bother people.
Conversation creates a new kind of network within organizations. Current networks are used for competitive advantage, but conversation is focused on encouraging people to realize their potential.
I have the consolation of leaving your kingdom in the highest degree of glory and of reputation.
The prince who relies upon their words, without having otherwise provided for his security, is ruined; for friendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity.
Our leaders should certainly engage passionate advocacy of needed reforms, and equally strong criticism of policies they believe are destructive to America. But, from the school boards to the White House, let's elect more candidates who are committed to constructive dialogue and reasonable compromises.
I had worked hard my entire career to establish myself as a leader. But I wasn't a leader until I was perceived as one.
One of the things my parents taught me, and I'll always be grateful as a gift, is to not ever let anybody else define me; that for me to define myself. and I think that helped me a lot in assuming a leadership position.
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