Max De Pree Quotes - Page 2

We can choose to see life as a series of trials and tribulations, or we can choose to see life as an accumulation of treasures.

Integrity in all things precedes all else. The open demonstration of integrity is essential.

Leaders who keep promises and followers who respond in kind create an opportunity generate enormous energy around their commitment to serve others.

Innovation is the lifeblood of an organization. Knowing how to lead and work with creative people requires knowledge and action that often goes against the typical organizational structure. Protect unusual people from bureaucracy and legalism typical of organizations.

We can go through anything because Jesus goes before us.

Understanding the diversity of our gifts enables us to begin taking the crucial step of trusting each other.

From a leader's perspective, the most serious betrayal has to do with thwarting human potential, with quenching the spirit, with failing to deal equitably with each other as human beings.

The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers.

We can accomplish more together than we can alone.

If you want the best things to happen in corporate life you have to find ways to be hospitable to the unusual person. You don't get innovation as a democratic process. You almost get it as an anti-democratic process. Certainly you get it as an antithetical process, so you have to have an environment where the body of people are really amenable to change and can deal with the conflicts that arise out of change an innovation.

We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet; and amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog has made an alliance with us.

A whale is as unique as a cactus. But don't ask a whale to survive Death Valley. We all have special gifts. Where we use them and how determines whether we actually complete something.

Leadership is like third grade: it means repeating the significant things.

No question about it: potential is wrapped in great mystery. Like rainbows, which are really circles-we see only the upper halves, the horizon hides the rest-potential never reveals its entirety.

Trust comes only with genuine effort, never with a lick and a promise.

The simple act of recognizing diversity in corporate life helps us to connect the great variety of gifts that people bring to the work and service of the corporation.

A friend of mine characterizes leaders simply like this: Leaders don't inflict pain. They bear pain.

Without forgiveness, there can be no real freedom to act within a group.

Intimacy is at the heart of competence. It has to do with understanding, with believing, and with practice. It has to do with the relationship to one's work.

We see a decline of civility, and, sadly, it’s often modeled by the very people from whom we have the least right to expect it.

In most vital organizations, there is a common bond of interdependence, mutual interest, interlocking contributions, and simple joy.

In some South Pacific cultures, a speaker holds a conch shell as a symbol of temporary position of authority. Leaders must understand who holds the conch-that is, who should be listened to and when.

Earning trust is not easy, nor is it cheap, nor does it happen quickly. Earning trust is hard and demanding work. Trust comes only with genuine effort, never with a lick and a promise.

A team of giants needs giant pitchers who throw good ideas but every pitcher needs an outstanding catcher. Without giant catchers, the ideas of the giant pitchers may eventually disappear.

Sometimes we think we're a little too gifted to show up, yo uknow. But none of us truly is...By avoiding risk we really risk what's most important in life---reaching toward growth, our potential, and a true contribution to a common good.