Warren G. Bennis, born on March 8, 1925, was a renowned American scholar, author, and leadership expert. Regarded as one of the foremost authorities on leadership, Bennis made significant contributions to the field through his extensive research and writings. His work emphasized the importance of self-awareness, collaboration, and adaptability in effective leadership. Bennis believed that great leaders are made, not born, and that leadership is a lifelong journey of learning and growth. He authored numerous influential books, including “On Becoming a Leader” and “Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge,” which continue to guide and inspire aspiring leaders around the world. Bennis’ legacy as a visionary thinker and advocate for transformative leadership continues to shape the way we understand and develop effective leaders in various domains of life.
The manager has his eye on the bottom line; the leader has his eye on the horizon.
Warren G. Bennis
Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them.
Warren G. Bennis
You need people who can walk their companies into the future rather than back them into the future.
Warren G. Bennis
Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work.
Warren G. Bennis
There is a profound difference between information and meaning.
Warren G. Bennis
Leaders are people who do the right thing; managers are people who do things right.
Warren G. Bennis
The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.
Warren G. Bennis
Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.
Warren G. Bennis
People who cannot invent and reinvent themselves must be content with borrowed postures, secondhand ideas, fitting in instead of standing out.
Warren G. Bennis
Leaders keep their eyes on the horizon, not just on the bottom line.
Warren G. Bennis
Leaders must encourage their organizations to dance to forms of music yet to be heard.
Warren G. Bennis
There are two ways of being creative. One can sing and dance. Or one can create an environment in which singers and dancers flourish.
Warren G. Bennis
Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.
Warren G. Bennis
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
Warren G. Bennis
Taking charge of your own learning is a part of taking charge of your life, which is the sine qua non in becoming an integrated person.
Warren G. Bennis
The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment.
Warren G. Bennis
The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
Warren G. Bennis
The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
Warren G. Bennis
Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult.
Warren G. Bennis
Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.
Warren G. Bennis
Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.
Warren G. Bennis
