13 quotations on the essence of leadership* by Paul Stumb, Ph. D
This essay was discussed with the author on my Parenting Matters show. We did not have enough time to discuss how all these quotes relate as well to parenting as to other forms of leadership. So with the authors permission I have copied the entire op. ed. from The Tennessean, January 28, 2021. To hear our discussion go to www.parenting-matters.com. P.D.
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Lots of books, papers, and other publications have been written on the subject of leadership.
And while I wouldn’t purport to add any appreciable contribution to the body of knowledge in the august arena, I want to share what I believe are a few of the most significant, robust, and currently relevant tenets of leadership today.
“The heart of leadership is communication, and the heart of communication is listening.”
This quote from Admiral Arleigh Burke highlights what many would argue is the single most important attribute of leadership.
Personally, I’ve never met or been associated with a good leader – in the military, in business, or in higher ed – who does not exemplify this important adage.
“Anyone can hold the helm when the seas are calm.”
This quote from Pubilius Syrus, born into slavery in 85 BC, is arguably more relevant today than in any time in our past.
“If you have the choice between attitude an ability – always pick attitude.”
Ability can be taught and learned; attitude is largely innate.
“If you can’t change the people, you need to change the people.”
This quote from my good friend Dr. Ron Ford is not exactly from the Jack Welch playbook of replacing the bottom X% through forced ranking every year, but nonetheless an important tenet of leadership.
“There are four things a leader can do with her/his hands. S/he can clinch them in anger, wring them in despair, fold them in idleness, or extend theme to help others.”
This quote is from my maternal grandmother, whom we called Mamie and who was an exemplar of selflessness. Effective leadership is always about put ting the needs of others ahead of your own.
“A-players hire A-players. B-players hire C-players.”
There are many similar versions of this quote, but I first heard it … while working in the nuclear complex at Oak Ride. To me, it says: Don’t be afraid to hire people who are smarter than you. For some like me, that’s easy to do, but no one who is truly successful achieved success all on their own.
“The other fellow just might be right.”
The late Senator Howard Baker, who was arguably one of the last true statesmen, purportedly uttered this admonition, which I have found particularly helpful in times of disagreement. “True humility is not thinking less of yourself
”Don’t go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson really captures what I believe is one important common denominator for most leaders.
“Your job as a leader is not to lead the horse to water; nor is it to make it drink. Your job as a leader is to make the horse thirsty.”
The late Jerold Panas, fund-raiser extraordinaire, authored this quote, which I feel aptly describes to job description of a leader.
Why humility in leaders matters
“True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.”
These words from CS Lewis should be heeded by all, but especially those in positions of leadership.
“The key to success in leadership is to keep the half of your people who hate you away from the other half who haven’t yet made up their minds.”
Casey Stengel offers this humorous admonition to remind all leaders to demonstrate humility. ”Being powerful is like being a lady. If you gottta tell somebody you are, then you aren’t.”
Margaret Thatcher left us with this sage thought which I would argue applies to being a leader as much as it does to being powerful.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is always: What are you doing for others?”
This guidance from Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. who offered us a plethora of wisdom before his life was tragically cut short is, in my view, a fundamental tenet of leadership at every level.
Perhaps you agree that these thoughts collectively represent something of value.
I reflect on these thoughts often, and they have been and remain valuable to me – both at Cumberland University, where I have the privilege to serve (vocationally), as well as in my personal life (advocationally.)
Paul Stumb, Ph.D., was named president of Cumberland in 2015. The student’s total enrollment has increased by 74% since 2015.
*Reprinted with the permission of the author. Originally printed in The Tennessean, January 28, 2021.
You can hear my discussion with Dr. Staub by clicking here.