Quotes from Richard Branson

Whatever your goal is you will never succeed unless you let go of your fears and fly.

They encouraged me to always look for the good in people instead of assuming the worst and trying to find fault.

If someone offers you an Amazing opportunity and you're not sure you can do it, say Yes - then learn how to do it later.

What we are trying to do at Virgin is not to have one enormous company in one sector under one banner, but to have two hundred or even three hundred separate companies. Each company can stand on its own feet and, in that way, although we've got a brand that links them, if we were to have another tragedy such as that of 11 September - which hurt the airline industry - it would not bring the whole group crashing down.

I believe that listening is one of the most important skills for any teacher, parent, leader, entrepreneur or, well, just about anyone who has a pulse.

If only we had the power to see ourselves in the same way that others see us.' Of all the mantras one might adopt in life, this is surely one of the better ones and for anyone in a leadership role it should be an essential part of the checks and balances that are built into a company's standard operating procedures.

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a ride!

Developing mental toughness isn't just about being resilient – it's about accessing your reserve tank when you think you just can't go any further.

Whenever you are setting up a new project, the most important thing is to surround yourself with people who are better than yourself, have different skills and a healthy combination of enthusiasm and experience.

Live for the present –' I heard my parents' old maxim in the back of my head '– and the future will look after itself.

Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one coming.

is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

how slim the line is between genius and insanity and between determination and stubbornness.

There are many ways to run a successful company. What works once may never work again. What everyone tells you never to do may just work, once. There are no rules. You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over, and it's because you fall over that you learn to save yourself from falling over.

Respect is about how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.

A touch of the jitters sharpens the mind, gets the adrenaline flowing and helps you to focus.

Success is more than luck. You have to believe in yourself and make it happen.

Capitalism – which in its purest form is entrepreneurism even among the poorest of the poor – does work; but those who make money from it should put back into society, not just sit on it as if they are hatching eggs.

The way to become a great leader is to look for the best in people – seldom criticise – always praise.

Never do anything if it means you can't sleep at night.' It's a good rule to follow.

The key enterprising skills I used when first starting out are the very same ones I use today: the art of delegation, risk-taking, surrounding yourself with a great team and working on projects you really believe in.

If I had to give one reason why I have been fortunate enough to experience some success, it would be my knack of bringing together wonderful people.

hard-won things are more valuable than those that come too easily.