There's no difference between a pessimist who says, "Oh it's hopeless, so don't bother doing anything." and an optimist who says, "Don't bother doing anything, it's going to turn out fine anyways. Either way, nothing happens."
Yvon ChouinardRead
I purposely try to hire people who are really self-motivated and good at what they do, and then I just leave them alone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effective leadership involves hiring self-motivated individuals and allowing them the autonomy to excel.
In this quote, Yvon Chouinard emphasizes the importance of hiring employees who possess intrinsic motivation and competence in their roles. By creating an environment where these individuals are trusted and given freedom, leaders can foster creativity, productivity, and job satisfaction, as it allows talented people to work independently without unnecessary oversight.
Themes
LeadershipMotivationAutonomyTrustTeamwork
In practice
Example use cases
During a company meeting, I referenced Chouinard's quote to illustrate the importance of empowering team members.
More from Yvon Chouinard
All quotes βI think risk is important. I don't care if it's a great financial risk or a physical risk. You only get out of something what you put into it and the fact that you are willing to risk something means that you are going to get a lot more out of it.
Yvon ChouinardRead
The solution may be for a lot of the world's problems is to turn around and take a forward step. You can't just keep trying to make a flawed system work.
Yvon ChouinardRead
We're a part of nature. As we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves. It's a selfish thing to want to protect nature.
Yvon ChouinardRead
Evil doesnβt have to be an overt act; it can be merely the absence of good. If you have the ability, the resources, and the opportunity to do good and you do nothing, that can be evil.
Yvon ChouinardRead
The future of Yosemite climbing lies not in Yosemite, but in using the new techniques in the great granite ranges of the world.
Yvon ChouinardRead
Similar quotes
Research indicates that employees have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company.
Zig ZiglarRead
The duties of an officer are the safety, honor, and welfare of your country first; the honor, welfare, and comfort of the men in your command second; and the officer s own ease, comfort, and safety last.
George S. PattonRead
The twin sister to autonomy and freedom is responsibility and accountability. You cannot have one with out the other. If someone is given an area of responsibility, not only must they be set free to do it, they must also be held accountable for what they do. Accountability clarifies freedom. In the teams and companies where you see boundary confusion, power struggles, control, over-reaching of one's line of responsibility, you will also see lapses in accountability as well.
Henry CloudRead
A manager gets in the Hall of Fame by what his players have done for him.
Earl WeaverRead
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
Anyone who loves his opinions more than his teammates will advance his opinions but set back his team.
John C. MaxwellRead