Don’t be in the business of playing it safe. Be in the business of creating possibilities for greatness.
Robert Iger
This is the most inspiring quote I found in the book: The ride of a lifetime.
The life story of former Disney CEO Bob (Robert) Iger. Iger led a fascinating career in which he ascended from the lower ranks of organizations to the leader of one of the world’s largest, most respected organizations.
The reason I like this quote is that it fits my personality. Leadership, innovation, and thriving in competitive marketplaces require taking risks and having a good dose of optimism. And people who know me recognize that I am an optimistic guy who doesn’t like to compromise. Of course, I want to take intelligent risks, but I don’t always play it safe. Like Iger says: “At best, playing it safe keeps you where you are.” I think that l with time, competitors will come in and dismantle your organization. Leaders understand this and take smart bets in an uncertain and fast-changing world.
Another lesson I liked is always to lead an organization with focus, a well-worked-out strategy, and clear priorities. Focus is essential for good leadership. People need to have a sense of what the priorities of the organization they work for are and what their preferences need to be. This means not just a set of values and how they behave but also how they spend their time. What is vital in terms of what they do at work? And how does this tie directly to a strategic focus of the company?
An inspiring book for leaders active in creative organizations. You can buy the book at Amazon via the following link: https://amzn.to/3ToyNpt