Warren Bennis Quotes on Leadership

Warren Bennis was an educator, consultant and author who wrote extensively about leadership and management in the last half of the 20th century.  His ideas were groundbreaking.

I remember reading “On Becoming a Leader” when I was in graduate school.  Bennis focused on the attributes of leaders and provided a roadmap for aspiring leaders to follow.  Warren Bennis’ ideas are still as relevant today as they were in the last century.

In this article, you’ll find quotes from Warren Bennis about leadership, employee engagement, and the differences between leading and managing.

Enjoy these quotes by Warren Bennis, curated for leaders!

Warren Bennis Leadership Quotes

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.

Warren Bennis

Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.

Warren Bennis

Success in management requires learning as fast as the world is changing.

Warren Bennis

In life, change is inevitable. In business, change is vital.

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 Bennis

Warren Bennis Employee Engagement Quotes

Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.

Warren Bennis

Leaders are people who believe so passionately that they can seduce other people into sharing their dream.

Warren Bennis

Too many companies believe people are interchangeable. Truly gifted people never are. They have unique talents. Such people cannot be forced into roles they are not suited for, nor should they be. Effective leaders allow great people to do the work they were born to do.

Warren 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 Bennis

Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for the organization to work.

Warren Bennis

Leaders should always expect the very best of those around them. They know that people can change and grow.

Warren Bennis

Warren Bennis on the Difference Between Leaders and Managers

The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.

Warren Bennis

Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.

Warren Bennis

The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.

Warren Bennis

Thanks for reading through these quotes from legendary business consultant, Warren Bennis.  Which quote was most relevant to a challenge you’re facing today?

Leave a comment and let us know.

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Make it a great day!