Great leaders understand that historical success tends to produce stable and inwardly focused organizations, and these outfits, in turn, reinforce a feeling of contentment with the status quo.
John P. KotterRead
Because management deals mostly with the status quo and leadership deals mostly with change, in the next century we are going to have to try to become much more skilled at creating leaders.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Management focuses on maintaining the current state, while leadership emphasizes driving change.
This quote by John P. Kotter highlights the critical distinction between management and leadership. In a rapidly evolving world, effective leadership that fosters change will be essential for organizations to thrive, suggesting that we need to develop more leaders who can inspire and navigate through change rather than just uphold the status quo.
Themes
LeadershipChangeManagementSkillsFuture
In practice
Example use cases
In a corporate training session focused on developing future leaders.
More from John P. Kotter
All quotes →We are always creating new tools and techniques to help people, but the fundamental framework is remarkably resilient, which means it must have something to do with the nature of organizations or human nature.
John P. KotterRead
Managers are trained to make incremental, programmatic improvements. They aren't trained to lead large-scale change.
John P. KotterRead
Outsiders have the intuitive ability to continually view problems in fresh ways and to identify ineffective practices and traditions.
John P. KotterRead
Those in leadership positions who fail to grasp or use the power of stories risk failure for their companies and for themselves.
John P. KotterRead
Many years ago, I think I got my first insight on how an incredibly diverse team can work together and do astonishing things, and not just misunderstand each other and fight.
John P. KotterRead
Similar quotes
Blessed are the people whose leaders can look destiny in the eye without flinching but also without attempting to play God.
Henry A. KissingerRead
My idea of management is that what your job is as the boss is to find really good people and empower them and leave them alone.
Ruth ReichlRead
Members of great teams confront each other when they see something that isn't serving the team.
Patrick LencioniRead
Your organization will take on the personality of its top leaders
Abraham LincolnRead
There is a time for weighing evidence and a time for acting. And if there's one thing I've learned throughout my work in finance, government, and conservation, it is to act before problems become too big to manage.
Henry PaulsonRead
Now let me make it clear that I believe there can only be one defense policy for the United States and that is summed up in the word 'first.' I do not mean first, but. I do not mean first, when. I do not mean first, if. I mean first - period.
John F. KennedyRead