23 Inspiring Leadership Quotes from Linkage's Global Institute for Leadership Development 2019

As we concluded last week’s Global Institute for Leadership Development^® (GILD), we left feeling refreshed, inspired, and filled with a new sense of purpose.

More than 300 leaders came together for this thought-provoking, immersive experience with leadership experts, game changers, and creative thinkers. Through this experience, we challenged ourselves to think creatively about the way we lead—and made a commitment to lead and live purposefully.

We compiled some of our favorite quotes from #LinkageGILD, so that you can feel as inspired as we are:

On Innovation

“Innovation requires being comfortable with failing—teach your team how to fail. If people aren’t comfortable failing, they won’t reach far enough. Remember: Your reaction as a leader will make all the difference with how your team will take risks.” —Carla Harris, Wall Street veteran, author, singer

“If you hire people who fit the mold, your organization will grow mold.” —Stephen Shapiro, author and leadership strategist

“Sell what you can sell. Change what you can change. If you can’t sell it or change it—let it go!”—Marshall Goldsmith, world-renowned business educator and coach

On Leading Across Difference

“To unleash potential and leverage every individual, give clear expectations about your common goals and purpose—and then get out of the way. Allow the unique talent in each person to manifest.” —Dalia Mogahed,
ISPU Director of Research

“At the very top of many organizations, many of the same faces keep showing up. We are limiting ourselves by putting the same archetype into senior leadership roles.” —Kwame Jackson, political commentator and entrepreneur

“The person that you like the least is the person that you need the most. Any time you are on a project, think about who you are not and then surround yourself with others who make up a full deck.” —Stephen Shapiro, author and leadership strategist

“Every time you see a human interacting, it is because a situation occurs to them in a certain way. This is true 100% of the time. If we can alter situations, we change performance.” —Dave Logan, author and leadership strategist

“Create a culture where people feel safe and generous—and your results will be off the charts!” —Margaret Heffernan, author and leadership strategist

On Thinking Differently

“What is your ‘why’? It’s time to get curious. Everyone is an experiment of one.” —Richard Leider, purpose guru

“Get a little uncomfortable. It takes openness and courage to explore what could make you an even more effective leader. But ultimately, it’s this discomfort that helps us grow as individuals and as leaders—and enables us collectively to create positive change in a world calling out for strong leaders.” —Jennifer McCollum, CEO of Linkage

“The more we try to define what each person must do each day, the less responsible they feel for anything or anyone. The company isn’t a machine. It is a social system. It is human relationships.” —Margaret Heffernan, author and leadership strategist

On Understanding Our Own Limitations

“A culture of helpfulness depends on generosity, reciprocity, and trust. Practice asking for help and giving help. Listen to others. We can do more together than we can do individually. Why do we have to be reminded of these fundamental human behaviors?”—Margaret Heffernan, author and leadership strategist

“Discomfort in leadership is not a glitch—it’s a feature. It’s there on purpose to force us to go inward and clarify our purpose.” —Dalia Mogahed, ISPU Director of Research

“The more you focus on a goal, the less likely you are to achieve that goal. Give people room to do their best work.” —Stephen Shapiro, author and leadership strategist

On True Inspiration

“Who is your hero? Why? What is one thing that you could do to become more like your hero?” —Marshall Goldsmith, world-renowned business educator and coach

On Finding Purpose

“Purpose is fundamental to health, healing, and happiness. People who have a reason to get up in the morning live an average of 7-10 years longer.” —Richard Leider, purpose guru

“Magicians are in the business of doing the impossible. Each of you are magicians—you are changing lives, impacting people on a daily basis. Keep pushing yourself to see better ways to do what you do.” —Stephen Shapiro, author and leadership strategist

“We all want to belong and to matter—we want to make a difference in our life. It’s in our DNA.” —Richard Leider, purpose guru

On Gaining Perspective

“The real way to grow your power is to give it away.” —Carla Harris, Wall Street veteran, author, singer

“We believe timing is an art. But timing is really a science.”—Daniel Pink, New York Times Best-selling author

“Be happy now—not next week or next month. If you have a dream, go for it. We almost never regret the risk that we took, but we regret it if we don’t try.” —Marshall Goldsmith, world-renowned business educator and coach

“Most people aren’t comfortable in their own skin. People will gravitate to you if you are.” —Carla Harris, Wall Street veteran, author, singer

“Treat every idea as a gift. Say ‘thank you!’ If you want to use it, use it. If you don’t, put it in the closet. If you already have it, repackage it and give it to your mother-in-law!” —Marshall Goldsmith, world-renowned business educator and coach

Did these leave you feeling inspired? We hope so, and we encourage you to implement these lessons into not only your professional life, but your personal life as well!