15 thoughts that have changed my life

1. All of us are smarter than any one of us. (unknown)
This thought changed my leadership style from authoritarian to collaborative. If I surround myself with smart, engaged people, I want to hear what they think. Any idea or plan, when submitted to the wisdom of others, will be improved.

2. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Steven Covey
This is the best thought on effective communication I have ever embraced. It made me a better listener and communicator.

3. Born originals, how comes it to be that we die copies? Edward Young
Every human being is unique, but in the course of life we become homogenized. How sad. This thought started my journey into developing the concept of Signature Soulprint.

4. Without memory, knowledge is useless. Daniel Taylor
Once I memorized this phrase, I understood the importance of memorization. If you don’t remember important thoughts, they will have little impact on your life.

5. One of the marvelous things about life is that any gaps in your education can be filled, whatever your age or situation, by reading, and thinking about what you read. Warren Bennis
This thought reignited my love for reading and solidified in my mind, the value of reflection. (My second favorite word in the English language is reflect; my favorite is initiate.)

6. Most people worship the god of their fathers. (unknown)
What a though-provoking statement.

7. Sixty years ago I knew everything; now I know nothing; education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. Will Durant
This thought underscored the importance of being humble about my limited knowledge and it instilled in me an insatiable appetite for lifelong learning.

8. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but not to their own facts. Daniel Moynihan
This statement clarified in my mind the difference between opinions and facts and the superiority of the latter. Emotions and opinions fluctuate but facts remain. I want to live my life based on facts.

9. One of the hardest things to do in life is to see ourselves as others see us. Bill George
Self-awareness is a gift that few of us possess. I want to be self-aware.

10. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
This statement ignited in my heart the wonderful potential of teamwork.

11. The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. F. Scott Fitzgerald
When I first memorized this statement I did not fully understand it. But it has come to my rescue many times.

12. Five frogs sat on a lily pad. One frog decided to jump off. How many frogs are left? (unknown)
By themselves, good intentions are feeble and misleading. I want to be an achiever; I want to get stuff done.

13. Some things are necessary but not sufficient. (unknown)
I am often satisfied with doing that which is necessary but I don’t realize that more is required.

14. The only things that happen naturally in an organization are friction, confusion and malperformance. Everything else is the result of leadership. Peter Drucker
The health and growth of all organizations rises and falls on leadership. Period.

15. The best way to get a good idea is to have a lot of ideas. Linus Pauling
A corollary thought is: Coming up with new ideas is relatively easy. It’s figuring out which of those ideas we should pursue that’s tough. (Denny Post) But, first, start with a lot of ideas.