Quotes About Leadership

Harmony protect us from small-minded men with too much power.

I'll do what I can, make the decisions as I see they must be made, Elend thought. Then accept the consequences.

You want me to lead the caravan?" "Instructions will be acceptable." "All right. First, find a cliff." "That, it will give you a vantage to see the area?" "No," Kaladin said. "It will give me something to throw you off of.

Men in power always pretend things like virtue, or divine guidance, some kind of mandate to 'protect' the rest of us. If we believe that the Almighty put them where they are, it's easier for us to swallow what they do to us.

A man can only lead when others accept him as their leader, and he has only as much authority as his subjects give to him.

I've never understood one thing: Why do all these megalomaniac dictators, secret societies, mad scientists, and totalitarian aliens want to rule the world? I mean really? Don't they know what a pain in the neck it is to be in charge? People are always making unreasonable demands of kings. "Please save us from the invading Vandal hoards! Please make sure we have proper sanitation to prevent the spread of disease! Please stop beheading your wives so often; it's ruining the rugs!

I think you underestimate the stubbornness a crown can press into a man or woman's mind.

I told Kaladin, 'I'm gonna fly those Reshi guys up high.' And Kaladin said, 'I don't think that's a good—' but I didn't let him finish, because he was going to grumble

They all want to be involved, but nobody wants to be responsible

Don't dream the small dreams of other men.

I found it interesting how humane things became once the people far up the command chain—the ones who didn't have to bleed for the decisions they made—couldn't force everyone into line.

What honor can we find on a battlefield while our people starve?

Middle ground only comes in war after lots of people have died—and only after the important people are worried they might actually lose.

You're supposed to be some kind of wagon with legs,' Kaladin said to the thing. 'You're worth more than a village. Prove it to me. Get going! Forward! Onward!' The horse licked the rocks.

Being in charge isn't about doing anything—it's about making certain that other people do what they're supposed to! Delegation, my friend. Without it, we would have to bake our own bread and dig our own latrines!

Syl was silent for a moment. "Do you want to be a miracle?" "No," Kaladin whispered. "But for them, I will be.

Never ask of your men a sacrifice you wouldn't make yourself. Never make them fight in conditions you would refuse to fight in yourself. Never ask a man to perform an act you wouldn't soil your own hands doing.

No, I lost every one," Hesho said. "The rest of the assembly voted unanimously against my desires in each matter. What rotten luck! Ah, the indignities you must suffer when your people are a true democracy, and not a shadow dictatorship ruled by an ancestral line of kings. Right?" The other kitsen flying past raised a cheer for democracy.

those who led were the lowest of men, for they were required to serve everyone.

I know the second oath I am to make. I don't need to be told it. I will unite instead of divide, Stormfather. I will bring men together

He always watched and studied. He was a king—and you could not properly dominate that which you did not understand.

You have good ideas, Elend Venture," Tindwyl said. "Regal ideas. However, you are not a king. A man can only lead when others accept him as their leader, and he has only as much authority as his subjects give to him. All of the brilliant ideas in the world cannot save your kingdom if no one will listen to them.

Run!" Tia yelled. Like I needed to be told.

Ironsides used to complain about how hard this job was," he grumbled. "You know the worst part about being in charge, Spin?" "No, sir." "Perspective. When you're young, you can assume that everyone older than you has life figured out. Once you get command yourself, you realize we're all just the same kids wearing older bodies.