Reflect on what it takes to be a true leader with these practical quotes that will lead you to a more accurate understanding of the secrets of successful leadership…

1. “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intention.” –Anonymous
2. “No person can be a great leader unless he genuinely rejoices in the successes of those below him.” –WH Auden
3. “Good leaders make people feel like they’re at the center of things, not on the periphery. Everyone feels like he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens, people feel centered and that gives meaning to your work. –Warren Bennis
4. “No man will be a great leader if he wants to do it all himself, or take all the credit for doing it.” –Andrew Carnegie
5. “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but they should be.” –Rosalyn Carter
6. “Perhaps the most central characteristic of authentic leadership is giving up the drive to dominate others.” –David Cooper
7. “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.” –Max De Pree
8. “Leadership is the art of getting another person to do something you want because he wants to do it.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower
9. “A boss creates fear, a leader creates confidence. A boss corrects blame, a leader corrects mistakes. A boss knows everything, a leader asks questions. A boss makes work hard, a leader makes it interesting. A boss is interested in himself, a leader is interested in the group”. –Russell H. Ewing
10. “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and actions.” –Harold Geneen
11. “One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” –Arnold Glasow
12. “All great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the unequivocal will to face the greatest concerns of their people in their time. This, and not much more, is the essence of leadership. –John Kenneth Galbraith
13. “The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t sound an uncertain trumpet.” –Theodore Hesburgh
14. “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in other men the conviction and the will to continue… The genius of a good leader is to leave behind a situation that common sense, without the grace of genius, can treat successfully. –Walter Lippmann
15. “Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve.” –Tom Landry
16. “Leaders need to be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” –John Maxwell
17. “The true leader has no need to lead, he is content to point the way.” –Henry Miller
18. “The leader must know, the majority know that he knows, and he must be able to make it very clear to those around him that he knows.” –Clairence B. Randall
19. “The person who knows ‘how’ will always have a job. The person who knows ‘why’ will always be your boss.” –Diane Ravitch
20. “A true leader is hated by most and respected by all. A follower is loved by all and respected by no one.” –Scott Smigler
21. “Integrity is the most valued and respected leadership quality. Always keep your word.” –Brian Tracey
22. “You know what makes leadership? It’s the ability to make men do what they don’t want to do and what they like.” –Harry S. Truman
23. “Leadership is not the private preserve of a few charismatic men and women. It is a process that ordinary people use when they bring out the best in themselves and others.” –Unknown
24. “Nothing so conclusively tests a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.” –Thomas J. Watson
25. “Outstanding leaders go to great lengths to build their people’s self-esteem. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” –Sam Walton