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Quotes are popular for a reason. Sometimes a little bit of wisdom is exactly what you need to inspire you, maintain your integrity, and ground your values. What sticks in your mind might be a big idea in a small piece of text, or a simple piece of advice that helps you remember something important. They inspire us and give us principles to remember in life.
I love sharing inspiring messages, so I offer a variety of printed t-shirts with motivational quotes to remind you of what’s important to you and to inspire those around you. is known for wearing. Here are eight of my favorite quotes from him for CEOs, and eight reasons why I think they’re helpful to remember.
Related: 30 Most Inspirational Leadership Quotes
1. “If you don’t have an assistant, you are!” — Cameron Herold, author and coach
One of my favorite quotes that inspired me to take action is this one by Cameron Herold: This quote represents one of the most important lessons for entrepreneurs to learn. Time is your most precious resource, so spend it on the tasks that matter most. This means delegating anything that doesn’t require your level of expertise. Would you pay your salary to have someone do your assistant work? If you don’t have one, you’re already doing it.
2. “It’s okay to admit what you don’t know. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to listen to the people you lead. In fact, it’s essential.” — Mary Mr. Barra, CEO of General Motors
Strong leadership requires a certain amount of vulnerability. Admitting that you don’t understand something, asking for help, and listening to your employees are indicators of an effective leader. Leaders who try to do everything themselves won’t accomplish as much as those who value the expertise of others.
3. “Our productivity, influence, and insight all come from being part of our communities, not apart from them. The goal is to become more dependent, not less.” I think it’s about finding a way.” — Seth Godin, author and speaker
One of the most important lessons to learn as a leader is that your greatest business asset is your team. The best innovations occur when everyone brings their unique perspectives and skill sets and collaborates. Your community is not just your team; your friends, mentors, and family all provide valuable and enriching relationships. don’t ignore them.
4. “There is no heritage so rich as honesty.” – William Shakespeare
If anyone has left behind a legacy worthy of note, it’s Shakespeare. People will remember how you behave more than what you accomplished. And your legacy doesn’t just begin after you die. It’s already visible in how people interact with you. Your accomplishments and reputation as an honest person will take you far.
Related: 15 Quotes on Success from America’s Top CEOs
5. “You can never run out of creativity. The more you use it, the more you get.” — Maya Angelou
As a CEO of a business, creativity is one of your most valuable skills, so it’s worth taking the time to practice. I’ve been known to spend one day each week doing creative activities to keep my creative muscles going. And I highly recommend intentionally making time for creativity. The more you do this, the easier ideas will come to you.
6. “A pessimist is someone who makes opportunities difficult; an optimist is someone who turns difficulties into opportunities.” —Harry S. Truman
Stop interfering with your thoughts. It’s easy to be pessimistic under the guise of “realism,” but in reality, it’s the optimists who tend to get the best results. why? Because they don’t get discouraged easily, they’re more likely to learn from their mistakes and keep trying. As opera singer Robert Breaux said, “Realists see reality as concrete; optimists see reality as clay.”
7. “It looks like multitasking, but you’re actually bouncing back and forth between multiple tasks, which reduces productivity and increases mistakes by up to 50%.” — Susan Cain, Author
If you’re like most entrepreneurs I know, you’re always trying to do better with your time. Time is your most precious resource, so it’s important to use it wisely. This is exactly why multitasking is a bad idea. You can always accomplish more if you focus on a single task and give it your all.
Related: “Let’s punch you in the face today!” 20 Inspirational Quotes and Sayings That Motivated Successful Entrepreneurs
8. “The best way to improve organizational performance is to create an environment where information flows freely, mistakes are highlighted, and help is offered and received.” — Simon Sinek, author and speaker
Building a productive work culture may seem daunting and complex to many executives, but at its core is collaboration and empowering each employee to do their best. You will be given the resources to do your best. And strong collaboration requires people to bring their ideas, perspectives, and expertise to the table, to communicate freely, to take ownership of their own work, to ask for help when they need it, and to feel free to bring their ideas, perspectives, and expertise to the table. We need a creative, non-judgmental environment in which we can take action. make mistakes. When you create a culture of collaboration, innovation begins.
If you found one of these quotes particularly inspiring or helpful, write it down on a sticky note and post it somewhere you’ll see it regularly. Sometimes these short reminders are just what we need to refocus and maintain perspective.
