How many on their deathbeds wished they'd spent more time at the office - or watching TV? The answer is, No one.
Stephen CoveyRead
Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Management focuses on efficiency, while leadership ensures that efforts are directed towards the right goals.
This quote emphasizes the distinction between management and leadership. Management is concerned with how effectively tasks are completed, often represented as climbing the ladder of success. However, leadership plays a crucial role in identifying and ensuring that the goals pursued are appropriate, which is symbolized by ensuring the ladder is against the right wall. Without effective leadership, the efforts in management may lead to success that is ultimately misguided or misaligned with the organization's true purpose.
Themes
ManagementLeadershipSuccessEfficiencyGoals
In practice
Example use cases
During a corporate training session to discuss the importance of leadership versus management.
More from Stephen Covey
All quotes βIf you want to have a more pleasant, cooperative teenager, be a more understanding, empathic, consistent, loving parent. If you want to have more freedom, more latitude in your job, be a more responsible, a more helpful, a more contributing employee.
Stephen CoveyRead
Listen with your eyes for feelings.
Stephen CoveyRead
If we live out of our memory, we're tied to the past and to that which is finite. When we live out of our imagination, _x000D_ we're tied to that which is infinite.
Stephen CoveyRead
Synergy is the highest activity of life; it creates new untapped alternatives; it values and exploits the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people.
Stephen CoveyRead
Keep in mind that you are always saying "no" to something. If it isn't to the apparent and urgent things in your life, it is probably to the most fundamental, highly important things.
Stephen CoveyRead
Similar quotes
If you have no opposition in the place you serve, you're serving in the wrong place.
G. Campbell MorganRead
I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon Washington. Unless the great God, who assisted him, shall be with me and aid me, I must fail; but if the same omniscient mind and almighty arm that directed and protected him shall guide and support me, I shall not fail - I shall succeed.
Abraham LincolnRead
I pride myself in collaborating and being a creative director, and creative direction isn't putting my opinion first. It's supporting an artist so they get the most out of the project.
Virgil AblohRead
There is no perfect fit when you're looking for the next big thing to do. You have to take opportunities and make an opportunity fit for you, rather than the other way around. The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.
Sheryl SandbergRead
Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs _x000D_ _x000D_ of those who would be affected by it
Marian AndersonRead
If you don't demand that your people maintain. High performances to remain on your team, Why should they be proud of the association?
Lou HoltzRead